Nathalie

beversman - you are my heroine! I swear woman, you have will of STEEL! I am amazed at how well you are handling the pre-op liquid diet. You are a marvel, a work of nature, a glorious example of dedication. YOU GO GIRL! And no, a teeny bite of beef and a couple of carrots are not going to jack up your liver. And you've lost 16 pounds already? I am so proud of you! PROUD as punch! kaydotrn, I should just send you a PM. As a matter of fact, I will. I went on my elliptical for 12 minutes today and was determined not to take any pain meds, until my boy kicked me in the stomach as I was changing his diaper. I wanted to fling that little runt across the room. I immediately went for the liquid vicodin and am dancing on a cloud as I write. I'm about to lay down and nap a bit. I have a question though: How do you determine your excess weight? I mean, how much is "excess"? I am 5'8" and 286 pounds (which is 6 pounds up from the morning of my surgery, by the way). If the weight range for my height is "126 - 167" (WTF?) how do I determine "excess?" Is it the range between (286 and 126) and (286 and 167)? And how come there is so big a range in my "normal" size anyhow? 126 - 167 is a 41 pound range. I'm drugged, by the way, so excuse my mental musings. And I'm falling asleep... Nat

Hola, December Members! Guess who is back among the living? I feel closer-to-normal today, so I thought I'd post. I have to say, I don't know what I was expecting post-op but it wasn't this. I think back to having my c-section and going home and being active and feeling great. What I FORGOT was I was in the hospital for 5 days after the c-section where I sat around and did zilch prior to going home and feeling great. I should have taken it a bit easier on Fri/Sat. But I'm up and at 'em. My surgery experience was fabulous, aside from getting the IV in. My arm looks like a pin cushion from the woman's lame attempt. But once the IV was in, they gave me some "calm her downs" and we were off. My last memory is of the anesthetist telling me the meds smell like cherries and me taking a big ole noseful. I woke up in recovery. My surgeon is fabulous, as is his PA (on whom I have a slight crush). The PA has been a cheerleader for a few weeks now, telling me I'm going to do well, and telling the surgeon how informed I am and how motivated I seem to be. The surgeon even asked, "What are you, her personal trainer?" hahaha The surgeon asked what he should do if he couldn't get the band on, and I said 'Do the sleeve.' He was impressed I said sleeve, but I didn't want the RNY and I didn't want to have it done OPEN, and I needed to have something. (I know I'm talking in circles -- I'm still on pain meds) ANYHOW, I'm home and on a liquid diet for 17 more days. Yesterday I had two out of 4 of the Protein drinks, plus about 30 oz of Water. I need to get it up and get it going, otherwise I fear I'll shrivel away to nothing! hehehe I'm pissed, too, because I'm 6 pounds UP from my pre-op weight. Ain't that some bullshit? I know it's all Fluid, but work with me body, work with me! I haven't been walking or doing my breathing pump as I should. I have been coughing up some incredibly nasty vile clumps of lung snot. I have also had the most giant hunks of bloody nose boogers I've ever had. I was not prepared for that. I don't know if it's from the intubation or the anesthesia, but be ready. I blow and don't know what's coming out next. They're all about the size of a dime. I need to walk more to keep myself from getting a blood clot. I know this is loopy sounding - I am drugged, ladies! DRUGGED! Anyhow, I just drank some Protein Cappuccino and it's gritty at the bottom. I'm going to sip on some water and take a nap. I will walk when I wake up. Thank you all for the well wishings. I have been thinking of you guys, too! *HUGS* I am going to get some Gas X strips today, I have a lot of gas in my stomach. I can't think of anything else to tell you that you may not know. Take it easy. Oh, and that abdominal binder did not help me. I had it on when I left the hospital and was standing in the parking lot of Walgreen's peeling that thing off of me. Pants unzipped.... I was in PAIN! heh... Hope you're all doing well, post-oppers. And pre-oppers, keep the faith. You'll do great! Missed you guys! Love, Nathalie

Hi All - I'm home and feel like I got hit by a truck. I just took my pain meds (I don't know how some of you are managing without it) and i'm going to bed. I have very little energy, and I feel sore all in my belly. I'm hoping to feel "normal" by Sunday. My surgeon put some Fluid in my band already. I don't know how much though. Nat

Okay, I feel cracked out. I have cleaned everything I can find to clean. I'm in bed, but I am wide awake - or afraid to sleep. I leave for the hospital in 2 hours. My Dad still isn't here. I don't know when he's coming, but if he's not here by 4:30 I will drive myself to the hospital. My bag is packed, my house is sparky fresh, and my belly is ready to be banded. soloslim - 15 pounds since surgery? WOOO HOOOOO! I have to do 19 days of liquids after surgery, and then I can graduate to soft foods. I can eat soft mushies on January 3. Between now and then I will plan menus and yummy food stuffs. Thanks all for the positive vibes. 7:30am (EST) tomorrow think of me! I am SO nervous!!!!! Going to try and sleep at least an hour. Love you all! Nathalie P.S. Beversman - Way to triumph over that chicken. That's what got me. The eeeeeeeeevil chicken! Keep up the GREAT work! I am really proud of you!

Man oh man! I will be leaving for the hospital in 6 hours. I have been cleaning for hours. The kitchen, living room, dining room and bathrooms are clean. I still need to clean MY room so that it is clean and inviting when I get home. Haven't packed. My "driver" (Dad) isn't here. Still have to do something with my crazy hair. I am nervous and excited and ... WOW TOMORROW! Think of me ladies. I won't be able to check in with you until Friday. But I'll be thinking about you!

TomorrowTomorrowTomorrowTomorrowTomorrowTomorrow! I feel like a hyper little puppy. I can't sit still, and I can't stop buzzing around the house fiddling with things. I'm trying to clean, do laundry, organize, dust, watch tv (HA), vacuum, wipe down countertops and take care of the baby. I am scheduled for an overnight stay, which is good, so I still have to pack my bag. I have to be there at 5am, and I told them the FIRST thing I wanted was a sedative. (laugh) My stomach is in knots!! By 9am I will be banded and in the recovery room if all goes well. (Surgery starts at 7:30) GigglesTX how are you feeling, honey? Beversman how are you doing on those liquids? Poor thing. I thought I was going to have to do it, but ended up on the Barix program. I would bet that the medifast is only used because it is guaranteed to work if you stick to the program. If the shake has the same nutritional value and doesn't overload calories, sodium or sugar, I'd substitute one per day. That's renegade me. I'd also exercise an extra half hour just to make sure I don't mess up. Kay. how are you? "Stuffins" makes me giggle every time I write it. EVERY TIME. ahahah I don't think of my fat as an enemy. Maybe that's why I never really saw myself as fat until after my son was born. I mean, I knew I was "thick" but I never called it FAT. Now I just want it off. I hope I don't lose my booty though. I have a great booty. I can't wait to fit into some $100 jeans. StephC - I'm so glad to hear from you! I will ask my surgeon tomorrow how long the biggest incision is going to be. I don't want a 2" surprise, that's for sure. Get some Vitamin e oil for your scars. Not just regular strength, but get the 45,000 iu, which is the thickest, strongest, most potent I've been able to find around here. I swear by the stuff. I've got mine ready to rub on as soon as I get my bandages off. I need to make a list for the surgeon. What kind of "close me ups" will you use? (staples, tape, strips, etc.) How long will the biggest incision be? Hmmmm, any other questions? Okay, I am about to hop up and run to therapy. Then I'm going to buy my Christmas tree and then I'm going to visit a daycare, and THEN I'm coming home to clean. *sigh* So much to do, so little time. More later, December Bandorables. Natty Bumppo

apinksoprano - I didn't mean to corrupt your thread. Like I said: You need to dress in clothes that you feel good in, put on your makeup and go on that date with all the confidence of a super model. Be Carmen Elektra. Be confident and cute and have a BLAST! Leave your inhibitions and self-doubt at home. Believe that you are going to have a good time and you will have a good time. Walk into that date believing that YOU have the power! Give yourself a positive mantra to repeat to yourself again and again. Believe that you are irresistable! (how's that for support?)

I said: marjon - that was a shitty thing to say. And it helped me a great deal. Sometimes the truth isn't what we want to hear. I hope apinksoprano's feelings weren't hurt in the process. I agree though - a full body picture to the guy will save both of you from embarrassement and hurt feelings/anger. And you said: All I said to her was that a full body picture to the guy will save both of them from embarrassment and hurt feelings/anger. That's all I said. Why is it "shitty" when I say it but, "womanly support" when you say it? apinksoprano's original post clearly implied that she had not told the guy about her appearance. I was not the only one to get that impression. If that was true then she was being dishonest. It turned out not to be true. But there is nothing I said that was "shitty." And I do completely stand by my statement that we are all in a phase of reinventing ourselves right now. All of us have issues that got us to be morbidly obese. If I were looking for a relationship in my life, I'd want to wait until I discovered who I was a little bit down the road. If others want to move ahead more quickly, go for it. I wish you all the luck in the world. I'm not telling anyone they need to be like me. But I still think it is a loving thing to do to say how I feel, and I still stand completely by what I said. So I replied: marjon - :phanvan I'm sorry - my reply didn't read as I intended. It was shitty because it's the cold hard truth. What you said (your advice, your words) isn't shitty. The shitty part is the fact that it's the way of the world. The fact that heavy people have to worry about being shunned because "thin is in" is the shitty part. It's shitty that a pretty girl with a rockin personality is doubting herself and worrying that the guy won't give her a chance once he gets a load of her body. I was referring to the reality, not your advice/post. I've told guys I was "heavy" before, but when they saw me the reaction is "you ain't heavy, YOU FAT!" "Heavy" is so subjective. I have lived apinksoprano's fear - you shared guy-think very well. Please accept my apology - I did not mean my words as aggressive or attacking. It was in no way meant to hurt your feelings or put you on the defensive. My post was dove-tailing on your post, agreeing with you. It was wonderful, heartfelt, guy-perspective advice.

marjon - that was a shitty thing to say. And it helped me a great deal. Sometimes the truth isn't what we want to hear. I hope apinksoprano's feelings weren't hurt in the process. I agree though - a full body picture to the guy will save both of you from embarrassement and hurt feelings/anger. I have taken myself out of the dating game for now for that very reason, marjon. When I was dating online, I had several men reject me. I got a LONG email from a guy after our date tell me all the reasons he didn't want to go out with me again (he was after sex, which I wasn't going to do first date) and suggested I join a gym, hire a trainer, I have a pretty face, put down the video game, etc. And I know I rock, and it's his loss, and it was a shitty thing to say, but it is how things are (especially someplace like Ft. Lauderdale where "beach body" is the norm). At the same time, I met enough men who loved my softness and my hind parts. I was in a LTR with a guy and he just gobbled me up. He wasn't a "chubby chaser" there was nothing wrong with him - he was 6'8" and needed a woman with a little substance. (HA) Men who like curvy women are out there. apinksoprano, if you HAVE sent him a full body picture and he still wants to go out, then don't worry about him rejecting you. He likes what he sees. Don't be insecure and don't be nervous. You need to dress like a movie star and go on that date like you are Carmen Elektra. Ooze confidence and sensuality. One thing that you could do is see if they have any goddess parties in your area. Parties for plus sized women and the men who love our stuffins. When I was in NYC I went to one and met a really really nice guy. The place was FILLED with them! I know I rambled... Nathalie P.S. I wrote most of this before I saw that you replied, apinksoprano. None of it was intended to hurt your feelings. If you want to tell me to STFU and F off, I won't even be offended.

StephC! Right on girlfriend! I wish I could just hug you right now. I'm so proud of you. And yes, you had a right to be mad at them for keeping that tube down your throat after they woke you up. Are you hungry at all? Do you know what kind of port you got? Is it low profile? Are your scars atrocious? Two days! Two days! Two days! P.S. Thanks about the daycare. I'm sure it'll all work out. One way or another.

Kay. (like how I abbreviated your name?) I put a . instead of typing Dot. (made me laugh...) Thanks. I am feeling SO much better this afternoon. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. And yes, I am going to teach my little one how to treat a woman. And how NOT to treat a woman. He's going to be big and handsome (one thing his daddy got "right") and he needs to know certain things. I wanted a girl, but wouldn't trade him for anything. beversman, may I call you bman? LOL I was going to call you BM but I didn't think you'd appreciate it. I hear you about food. I have had to realize that anything I want to eat, I've already eaten it. I know what it tastes like. But yeah, food - good, comforting, loving, nurturing, non-judgmental, dependable food has been my companion. Well, we're breaking up. Screw off, food! You've mistreated me, enabled me, betrayed me. If we were really friends, you wouldn't have made me unhealthy and lazy, ya dirty bitch. My friend says "You want a brownie? Lick your thigh. You want some meaty cheesy? Bite your belly." (She says it to herself) Cracks me up, like she can really taste the food she wants because it's in her stuffins. My BIGGEST news is that I am cleared for surgery. TWO DAYS! TWO DAYS TWO DAYS! I went to see the surgeon (PA) today and he said he can tell I'm going to be successful since I have followed my pre-op plan to the T. He even excused my nuggets & mac/cheese faux pas. He said I can start exercising the day after surgery (no waiting period) and my body will tell me if I overdo it. I have to be at the hospital at 5am on Thursday. My surgery is at 7:30. I told him I wanted to stay the night and he said "No problem." My stomach is in knots with anxiety and excitement. I listened to my "theme song" again this morning and got teary eyed. This is it, ladies. THIS IS IT! I'm on my way to having a brand new life where I am in control of food. And I'm already 10.5 pounds thinner! That pre-op diet is the SHIZZ! I bet I'm 12 pounds down by surgery day. And in case you didn't know it? I ROCK!

...Yoda made me giggle! Work it out Khrissy! WORK IT OUT! Keep up the good work! Nat

mariecarmen - YOU GO GIRL! Isn't it amazing how exercise becomes easier and less hateful as you keep on going? I have the same relationship with my elliptical machine. Getting started is the hardest part. And the scale is moving, too? What a great motivator! I'm really proud of you. Do you sweat yet? I love to feel myself break into a full out sweat. It's so.... satisfying. Keep up the good work! Nathalie

bandiva - that's a cruddy thing to do, making me start my Tuesday morning in tears. Your message was the pep talk and big hug that I needed. Thanks! I'm finding this "single mother" thing to be much, much harder and more demanding than I thought it would be. My house is a mess, my life is a whirl-a-gig, and now the one thing I thought was stable (daycare) is taken away. Thank goodness for therapy! LOL I actually have leads on a few places, and I start interviewing tomorrow. I'll find something, even if he has to spend a week or two at a daycare center until I find a nice private family daycare. The only way I have been able to keep from stuffing my emotions is to write and exercise. IMMEDIATELY after she told me, I swear to you I tasted chocolate in my mouth. I was emotionally headed to the bakery. But instead I let myself cry. It was cathartic and quite a leap forward. I have decided that I'm not going to satisfy my emotions with food anymore, and yesterday was a HUGE victory in that area. As for my son's father. He tries to be a good man, but he has a tendency to strong arm me when things don't go exactly his way. I typically don't fight with him, but it sounds like we're headed back to court in the very near future. He says I'm not giving him enough time with our son. DUH BITCH. You're in FLORIDA. Bring your butt up here and visit. I work, I can't just hop a plane when you feel like parenting, nor should I have to. He got pissed off because I told him I can't come for Christmas (I told him I was broke) and he got mad. I didn't tell him about the surgery. Next time I see him I'll be at least 50 pounds lighter. BGB - I swear the pre-op diet makes me weepy. I have been more emotional than usual for the past week and a half. I cried at SCRUBS the other night. WEPT at America's Next Top Model. WTF? I am "working from home" today, which means I'm not doing much work, and I'm cleaning up my house because my girlfriend's plane lands at 3pm. She's coming to keep me company and to help with the baby for a week. Have a GREAT Tuesday, everyone! Again, sorry for the emotional dump. Sometimes it just gets to be too much for one (soon to be) little woman to handle! STEPHC HOW ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!? You've been on my mind all day. Laterz, Nathalie

Hi Ladies - I had a very emotional day today. I think I cried off and on for 4 hours. My daycare provider gave me 2 wks notice this morning. I have no idea what I'm going to do with my boy. I'm working on it. On top of surgery and problems with my son's father, the daycare thing was the last straw. When she told me I stood there and cried. I feel like I just got dumped. I ate well today, stuck to the diet. I was on the elliptical 3x yesterday (30 minutes each time) and 2x today (30 min). I'm still fat. (laugh) I don't know if they will do the surgery because I've only lost 10 pounds. We'll see. BabyGotBack, I feel like pinching you for making me watch that video! (laugh) I don't even watch ER and I fast forward through the surgery parts of Nip/Tuck because I can't stand surgery stuff. As soon as they started scootching her organs around and fluffing up her yellow globules of glittering gunk, I had to shut it down. I got queasy. More than anything right now I want some wine. When can I start drinking wine again? I might get back on the elliptical once more before the night is over. I lost 1.5 pounds yesterday (according to my Tanita scale). Kay, thanks for the shout out. Have we heard from StephC? Welcome new December people! TTYL! Sad Nat

hermosa - maybe he is in money shock. I know when I spend a lot of money on something, I obsess over really spending that money. Tell him how you feel when he says that. "When you say things like that it hurts me inside." That's how I do it. Tell him you need his support and his love more than ever. (((HUG))) I hope things get better for you. And keep up the great work girl!

MarySue - I hope you didn't read my post as me implying that your act - or you - were either brave or foolhardy. I admire what you did but noted that it would not have been me. As crazy as people are, an irrational man pulling out a gun is not entirely out of the realm of possibility. As I said, I think you were entirely noble thinking of the child more than yourself.

I am on my own nerves. Seriously, truly, entirely, completely on my own effing nerves. I can't stop obsessing about "how skinny I will be on ____." I have charts, graphs, estimates, tables, milestones, trips planned, weight loss rewards and a bunch of other things that are driving me batshit. I can't stop thinking about it. I can't stop planning and hoping and dreaming. I can't stop imagining how I'll feel and how I'll act and what I'll look like from behind when I'm a certain size/weight. My latest calculation is "what size will I be when I weigh ________." I'm all "do I have enough clothes to get me through size ___?" And "When I do ___ what size will I be?" I'm sick of thinking about my size and weight. I'm making myself anxious and frustrated. I am so busy thinking about the future that I am screwing up my present. I'm not sure why I feel anxious in my stomach, as if I have done something wrong, but I do. You know how you get that tight/nauseated feeling in your guts when you're in trouble? Maybe you don't, but I've got it. My. son. is on. my. nerves. He's 17 months and into everything. It's like a new play area since I rearranged furniture yesterday and he is running around touching everything. I want to glue his butt to the chair. (laugh) He just went down for a nap, so that's helping. I'm totally nesting, like ... who was it? StephC? I'm cleaning my house from top to bottom, about to take clothes to the wash-n-fold. I'm debating whether I should let them do my big drawz or if I should do them myself (as if I don't have enough to do!). I'm tired and hyper at the same time. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ME?! Maybe I need to get back on my elliptical again for another 45 minutes. Certainly can't hurt anything, and it will burn more calories. Sorry for the crazy post, but I had to get it out... LOL WHEW! Nathalie

StephC - Right after I had the baby I was taking pilates classes at the gym. It was on a machine and I absolutely LOVED those classes! I was there 3 times per week. I have a pilates DVD, but it's not the same "type" of pilates, so I didn't enjoy it as much. One of my weight rewards is to join a gym, and start taking pilates again. 2x per week is my goal. nat

Hey gals! bandiva - I was emotional, too. I don't know if it's my body's reaction to the change of intake, hormones surging or what, but I had one of those days, girl! Hang in there and take it one day at a time. You're doing great! StephC: OMG 1 day! TOMORROW! How can you stand it? We should be in church today, too. Praying for strength and hope, but I'm a heathen this morning, and instead of church I'm going to repent on my elliptical. I have sinned against you, pre-op diet! (ha!) scale didn't move at all, so no real damage was done. Lesson learned. I've been pooping all morning though. thininde and carol - do you ever move and feel the port? Have you "twisted" your torso and felt it in your side? That's what I'm most concerned about. I don't have a treadmill, I have a big ole elliptical machine. The arms don't move. I wonder if I can hop on it right after surgery or if I'll have to wait a few weeks. It will totally suck if I have to get outside and walk. It was 8 degrees on Friday. EIGHT. :xena_banana: OfferRocker - YOU GO GIRL! How have you done on your liquids? Awesome, I'm sure. One more day! I'm so jealous, but I'm only 3 days behind you guys. Be sure to check in when you're done. beversman - where are ya girlie? I was all disappointed cuz you'd heard of the cauliflower mashies. LOL I thought I was posting something new. I'm glad it wasn't an entire sham. Can't wait to fix it. I'm going to whip some up today and stick it in the freezer in those Glad 1/2c. plastic containers. KayDotRn - how's your Sunday going? Hanging in there, girlfriend? mystique - have you gotten any rest yet? I am having bizarre dreams. last night I dreamed I was with Jay Manuel from ANTM. I also dreamed that 2 people were coming after me. I was glad I woke up from that one. I hope you get some sleep. Anyhow, I'm about to mount the beast. I've got 60 minutes of penance ahead of me. LOL TTYL!

MarySue - People are crazy. You could just as easily have been dead. I wouldn't have intervened in that situation either. To me, there's a thin line between being brave and being foolhardy. While I was in graduate school one of my professor's sons will killed. He stepped in and tried to make peace when 2 strangers were arguing. One of the guys stabbed him in the chest. I understand wanting to protect the child, but girlfriend, protect yourself, too. Call 911, get the license plate. Help without putting yourself in the line of danger. I'm sure that's why others didn't intervene. It was noble of you, though. I'm really glad that you weren't hurt.

Okay - sexually speaking what is the ice cube method?? each ice cube is 1oz. I made all of my son's baby food. Pureeing is a fun task if you have a decent food processor. I started with a hand held blender stick and it suuuuuuuuuuuucked. Don't forget to cover with plastic wrap, not tin foil. and then drop it a few times on the counter to get the bubbles out. When all frozen, put in ziploc bags with the date on them, and also the name of the food. It's amazing how they all look alike after they're frozen. Frozen fruits and veggies keep for 3 months. (just fyi, not that you asked :xena_banana: ) Nat

:xena_banana: I blew it today. I was trucking right along this morning, then we ran out to meet one of my friends for coffee (i did great there even with my little one eating muffins and apple juice), after that I had to go to the hair dresser to see about the new cut I'm going to get, then we stopped at the market. After moving furniture this morning and only eating 1 bar, I was ravenous. Dummy me forgot my food and was already on the road (and late) before I remembered. So when I got home instead of feeding ME first I got my little one his dinner (chicken nuggets and mac/cheese). I ended up eating 3 nuggets and 5 bites of mac/cheese. It's not the end of the world, but I feel like a failure. I even knew I was doing it as I was doing it. Part of that may be emotional sabatoge tied to talking to my son's father (asshole) about Christmas - he upset me earlier today. Anyhow, I ate a sf Jello and still ate my nuts and chili. I still have a hot chocolate and Soup left. F it. I'll try again tomorrow. I took some Fiber laxatives and a few cascara sagrada to get things moving tonight. I know that is SO unhealthy, but I didn't know what else to do. I feel like I want it out of me. I hope I don't wake up tomorrow 19 pounds heavier from the nuggets. (laugh) Tonight I suck. But tomorrow I'm back on it. That is my true confession. Nat

The article is called "Goodbye, Cruel Fat" and it's about tricking the tastebuds to prefer lean, nutritious fare over the rich and calorific. Women who read Oprah sent in culinary secrets for turning a beloved fattening food into a healthy, waist-friendly dish. (Obviously I'm typing verbatim) David L. Katz, MD, rated the nutritional value of 5 of the favorite recipes submitted: I'll probably whip it in the food processor instead of mashing it so that it's super creamy. I'm heavy handed with the condiments, so I will use low fat cream cheese and fat free sour cream. I'll probably add some other herbs and spices in it to make it more savory. Sounds good, doesn't it?? I bet you could even thin it with more chicken stock and make kind of a cauliflower bisque for liquids stage. Unflavored Protein powder whipped in will really pack a punch, too. (I submitted this in my December Bandsters thread, but thought others may be interested, too.)

The article is called "Goodbye, Cruel Fat" and it's about tricking the tastebuds to prefer lean, nutritious fare over the rich and calorific. Women who read Oprah sent in culinary secrets for turning a beloved fattening food into a healthy, waist-friendly dish. (Obviously I'm typing verbatim) David L. Katz, MD, rated the nutritional value of 5 of the favorite recipes submitted: I am going to make this for mushies stage. I'll probably whip it in the food processor instead of mashing it so that it's super creamy. I'm heavy handed with the condiments, so I will use low fat cream cheese and fat free sour cream. I'll probably add some other herbs and spices in it to make it more savory. Sounds good, doesn't it?? I bet you could even thin it with more chicken stock and make kind of a cauliflower bisque. Unflavored protein powder whipped in will really pack a punch, too.