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I am an animal lover and self-proclaimed 'crazy cat lady.' I can't bear the thought of someone killing innocent animals and I was wondering how everyone else feels about the topic. Keep in mind that was born and raised (and still live in) a rural farming community where it's an everyday thing for a tractor to roll through town and where you'll commonly see a truck pass by with a gun rack. Having been raised on and around farms I have grown to accept selling, raising and eating livestock as a fact of life. I am not a vegetarian but I am a member of the ASPCA. I love any type of animal you could throw at me. Now, that doesn't mean that I'd cuddle or keep a snake as a pet, but I do have a high level of compassion for any kind of life. The reason of this poll, however, is directed specifically towards hunting. I realize that hunting is a fact of life (I've seen plenty of deer carcasses hanging from trees). I just can't understand how someone can hop in their truck and spend their evening stalking beautiful, majestic deer and celebrating as their life drains out of them. One of my brothers is an avid hunter, he and I have agreed to disagree on the subject. How is chasing down a raccoon, squirrel, or deer fun? With what are they supposed to defend themselves? What does that doe feel when her mama doesn't come back after leaving to feed? I do realize that deer are overpopulated, as I'm sure that will come up, but I still couldn't imagine taking the life of an innocent animal and keeping it's head as a trophy...

Tina - have you started any new medications lately or changed your dosage? I would like to stop my anti-depressant and see if it makes a difference but I think I need it to stay sane. Same with my 1 mg of estradial a day- but I don't want hot flashes. Guess I will just keep on trying to stay on track with my eating and up the exercise. I am making at least one vegetarian food for Saturday as two of my kids are vegetarians now - no fish either. Cooking for two meat eaters and two vegetarians is not very easy - there aren't very many different choices with the Boca and Morningstar brands at the stores I shop at.

Thanks all. I am up 9 pounds in two days!! OMG not sure what is up with that but is a big problem!! It is also that time of the month finally!! :-) Guess I should post more often cause it seems to have solved the problem!! How can I gain almost 10 pounds in two days?? So now I have to lose 15-20 to get a fill!! Not happening in a week. So regardless I just called and cancelled my appointment with Dr. Baggs and they asked if I wanted to cancell with Robin so I cancelled both. I told Kelly I will just call them back when I am ready. I don't want to schedule anything now cause I am not sure where I will be in a month. Weight wise or insurance wise. I want to get to 180 eventually but the band thing and using the tool is not an option right now so I am gonna just do it on my own and take my time. If I do lose my insurance I am thinking I am better off being without restriction instead of too much. So yea I am pretty much done making the drive to the Bay area for awhile. If I don't get laid off in February than I will make new game plan for March and figure out what to do from there............ I am sure Kaiser isn't gonna be thrilled but I can't be stressing out so much all the time about this. I would rather just do my own thing and go at my own pace for now and see what happenes. I think not having the stress of worrying about what the scale says every day is already making me feel better :-) Maybe my bad week at Christmas did me in or maybe all this bloating is doing me in. I will figure it out better without the stress. It is not like I can call and ask for a fill and I haven't earned it so it really is very black and white. Lee I am vegetarian and I figure your right it has something to do with not losing fast and being hungry. But after thinking about it alot I am not gonna eat meat. I know it means alot of things and means the band will not work as well for me but I am ok with that. Oatmeal I can stop I was using it to try to keep me full longer but I certainly don't need more carbs

Tina, are you a vegetarian? I was a vegan for many years. Recently raw vegan from 2004 - 2006. Always hungry. After reading your menu, I'd suggest ditching the Oatmeal. When I eat oatmeal I'm always starving shortly after. The carbs are so high. Have you tracked foods that sustain you longer? Are you able to tolerate greek yogurt? Could you try one with a little more fat and protein powder to satisfy you? Do you ever eat eggs or fish? From my reading on the Sleeve sites, the people who wake up hungry are having a protein shake before bed which helps them get through the night. I know that Kaiser says no shakes, but they also expect weight loss. The food plan is the same whether we have the band or the sleeve. I am so sorry you're going through this Band Hell. I can imagine how frustrated you are to be doing everything right and not getting results. Sending sympathy your way....

Eva~ Have you seen the Wall-E movie yet? Nelson has the little miniatures from McDonalds, from when the movie came out, and the little guy says "eva!" <with a robotic voice> YouTube - Wall-e saying his name Click on the youtube link. It's one of the cutest parts in the movie. You will never say your name to people the same way! : ) I love sushi that is cooked. I love the spicy rolls. I will eat the ones with seafood that is cooked, or vegetarian ones. I have to use a lot of wasabi in my soy sauce. The spicier the better. When I lived in Atlanta, I would eat raw fish b/c it was really fresh and good. Here in the middle of no where- no one here really eats it & things have been sitting a while. Nels loves Japanese chicken fried rice like at Benihana, where they cook in front of you. Yeah, We have to bring a gift. And this time a year, if you don't bring a gift receipt then people think you are "re-gifting". I bought something at Walmart for the two brothers on Sunday and the cashier forgot to print the gift receipt! She pointed to customer service with a line of 20+ people and told me I had to go there. I kindly refused and asked her to call a manager. They fixed it at the register. The party today, we have known the family for 3 years now. This kid is adopted, like Nelson, and is SPOILED rotten! He is the only grandkid for both sides. His mother "registered" at the local toy store for his party!!! They give you a big clear rubbermaid bin with your name on it. Then when people come to get you a present, they pick from the bin and it gets removed so somebody else won't buy it. The store is quite expensive/overpriced. It is sad that kids today are so overindulged that we have to have a gift registry! I will never forget one of the first parties we went to, I had bought a very "practical" gift for the kid. Paper, markers, stencils, game book- it all came in a big zippered lapdesk that you could travel with. The parents LOVED it (b/c they were driving to New England) but the the kid threw it to the side and grabbed a Spider Man gift. Nelson was too young to notice, but I remember thinking 1) It's NEVER a good idea for kids to open gifts at a party 2) Teach your kids to say THANK YOU, no matter what it is. Well, it's raining here and 41 but the report says "feels like 34". They are predicting SNOW in some parts of Florida today!!! (Orlando and north!) This weather is getting weirder. I feel sorry for the mom who is giving this party. She has a big bounce house for the kids and a petting zoo with pony rides coming! All will be rained out. Nelson LOVES parties! It's why I go. My little social butterfly. DH waltzed in at 4am. He looked soooooo tired! Nothing like working a shift from 530 am to the next day 4 am. That's a long day. I'm gonna let him sleep late. I purposely woke up early and came to Nelson's room to snuggle. He woke up quietly instead of coming to our room and jumping on the bed! Now we are on this side of the house watching tv and hanging out. Will CBL...Laura

All that vegetarian food is fine. I would watch the carb count on yogurt though. eggs and cheese don't have carbs! Do you eat fish? fish is a great protein! Honestly, this is all so simple, it could not get any easier. I know in the beginning, I had all the thoughts that all of you are having. Once I moved to solid food, it was difficult to eat. I had a hard time figuring out how much to eat and ate too much and it was painful. It does take your brain the 20 min. to tell your stomach it's full. I had to go by looking at the size of portion. I ate a lot of those tiny cans of already made chicken salad in a can that is right next to the tuna in the store, when I was on the mushy/soft stage. Then, on solids, I would look at the food, and imagine if it would fit in that can. Head hunger is another story completely. It does get better for most people. There are still people who struggle with head hunger all the time, because they are used to being able to eat anything they want, whenever they want. I was hungry on the liquid stage. My stomach growled and I could not wait to get to the next stage, but I was too worried about that staple line to move to the next stage before I was supposed to. I just drank liquid whenever my stomach growled. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need to. We love helping. I don't know that I consider myself a veteran, because there are people who have had their sleeves for a couple of years now. All I know is now, I don't worry about anything and I eat because I am supposed to. There are times that I eat because I know I haven't eaten anything in a long time, not because I am hungry. Honestly, I am tired of buying new clothes. I am tired of liking something and the next time I try it on, it's too big. I know it's a good thing, but I am glad I am at goal now and I try to stay out of the stores. I hope this helps someone! anyone that wants to ask me anything, send me a private message and I will be happy to answer if I can! I lost 100 lbs and it was easy!:biggrin0::laugh0:

i just had surgery tuesday! and already i feel like i am consuming too much....the first few days i was SO sick, nausea and intense pain....but today i was able to drink about 1 1/2 cups of broth, two s/f Jello cups, and probably 30oz of Water. i guess it doesn't sound like too much when i write it all out. but i am still thinking a lot about food....do the mushies get better? or is it the real food? i am vegetarian, so i'm worried about a higher carb intake. do any of you have a higher carb count and still lose? i can get by cutting out rice, Pasta and bread etc....but yogurt, bocca burgers, eggs, cheese etc still have carbs! is this okay? i know i'm covering a lot of old ground. i jsut feel so afraid of failing!

I like tofu and cook with it pretty often, especially when I make something with a good sauce. However, for me it is not a substitute for good meat, the taste and texture doesn't work. There are countless delicious vegetarian foods. Sadly, the ones that pretend they are something they are not usually taste like ass. A lot of heavy meat eaters may end up trying those lousy fake meat substitutes, assume all veggie cuisine tastes like that and never try it again.

Not a vegetarian, but I haven't had pork, beef or lamb in 23 years. I do eat chicken and turkey occasionally but I eat a ton of fish and seafood so that helps with the Protein. I'm not banded yet, but I make good use of Morningstar farm products- "burgers", crumbles, and Breakfast items. Hoping I can continue to eat these at some point post op. There is a local vegan manufacturer here in Chicago that makes a seitan crumble that tastes just like Italian Sausage. I have been putting that into Pasta sauce and eating it over spaghetti squash. I also threw it into a bean soup I made the other day- very tasty! I love all kinds of Asian food, so I keep the veggie potstickers and frozen Asian Vegetable Mix from Trader Joe's on hand at pretty much all times. They also carry marinated extra firm tofu in a bunch of flavors. They are great for stir frys and salads. Another favorite is Trader Joe's breaded eggplant cutlets. Baked, not fried and fantastic for making a quick psuedo-eggplant parmesean. I do get most of my protien from Beans. Never been a big fan of eggs although I have found myself forcing them down more than in the past. I've been making some scrambles with egg beaters, spinach, a little cheese and tons of hot sauce and that has proven to be a filling breakfast option. Good luck to you! kagead

Thank you Cheri! I am not a true vegetarian, by any means, but the only meats I like really aren't good for me....chicken is too chicken-y...I like ground beef, hot dogs, and bacon....so yeah, processed is okay! I'll look up her books and would love to see any other links you have! Yes, i do eat eggs and cheese. Thank you! sara

I am not banded yet and I'm no longer a vegetarian. However, I might have a few recipes. I have some Soup recipes and a number of great ways to prepare tofu. And of course, if you must you can rely on meat substitutes if you can find some that fit your diet - many of them are just loaded with Protein these days. It means eating more processed foods, of course, but if you're okay with that it would work. Let me know your dietary restrictions and I'll post a bunch of recipes. Are you lacto-ovo? In the meantime, have you ever looked at any of the cookbooks by Nava Atlas? She has some excellent books and even has a website with some of her recipes posted. I hope someone else can help you with info on banded life as a vegetarian. ~Cheri

I posted a question about recipes for tofu, but nobody responded. So I'll ask this way! What do any of you who don't care for meat much eat? I love beans and grains and would love some ideas! Thanks!

The mexican food are attracting more and more people to it. This is because that the mexican food are characterised by its intense taste as well as by its unique flavouring too. There are many mexican restaurants in west la . the people living in west la as well as the tourists who come here as per their vacation looks forward to eat mexican dishes which has a top spot in the food chart. The mexican food restaurant west la is of good quality. From this, we can understand the popularity of the mexican dishes in west la. A wide varity of dishes are showcased in the mexican cuisine of those restaurants that are located in every nook and corner of the city. The mexican manicotti is one of the sought after dish in the mexican restaurnats in west la. A lot of people order for this yummy dish.mexican manicotti is a typical non ? vegetarian dish which is mainly prepared from chicken. There a few ingredeints that are used up in preparaing this tasty dish. First of all we require manicotti shells for preparing this dish. Cooken chicken low fat cottage chicken as well as greeen chillies which are sliced are the other chief ingredients of this yummy mexican dish ? mexican manicotti. There are other ingredients too. A cup pf cilantro, clove garlic minced are used up. Red bell pepper which are chopped up are used in this dish. Salsa as well as chopped or sliced ripe olives are yet other ingredients that are used up in this mexican dish. Tomato sauce are also used up to give an extra taste to this dish. You also have to add monterey jack cheese to make it very rich as well as yummy in taste. The following are the list of ingredients that are used up in preparaing this dish.

I am vegetarian AND do not tolerate gluten, whey or lactose - so you can imagine how daunting this whole thing was for me!! But I have never been healthier and never had a better diet in my life - and I am 100% satisfied with what I eat. Mandatory nutrition counseling was a part of my bariatric program, as it should be for everyone. I spend at least an hour a month with my nutritionist, which is a lot more than most folks have to, but I need her, and she totally gets it! She has suggested many new foods and combinations. Hidden gluten was causing my skin condition (boils, blistering, peeling, redness cracking etc) and it is almost 100% cleared up now - I have little minor flare-ups once every 6 weeks or so, but nothing like the full-time misery I had before. Believe me, the band is 100% friendly to a gluten-free diet! I could not eat bread even if I wanted to (yes, I have tried, more than once!) but potatoes are no problem. I am on modified carbs - almost 100% from fresh fruits and vegies - and I manage to net between 40 and 60 grams a day. I also easily get at least 60 grams of Protein a day, and that's no Protein shakes cause I can't tolerate whey. I do use a lot of soy milk (soy slender to be exact) and sometimes a soy Protein powder, but rarely - extra protein is stored as fat just like extra carbs would be. Actually, having a restricted diet sort of helps explain why you are eating funny if you don't want folks to know about your band. I told only those I had to before, but when you lose 1/2 your body weight in a year, people are going to notice! I am now a walking billboard for the lap-band and for the healthy lifestyle that goes with it. No one can argue my results! You are the perfect candidate. the lose/regain cycle is common to almost all bandsters. Look at this as a weight maintenance surgery: you have to lose weight to get your band, then as you lose each 10 lbs more, they tighten it up to "lock in" your loss. It's the perfect tool! Best of luck ~ Riley :biggrin:

Ali - If you have Kaiser, yes they do the surgeries in either Richmond, So SF, or Fremont. If your BMI is 35 you need two comorbidities, if it is 40 or over you don't need any. You need to ask your PCP for a referral forng bariatric surgery. Candra - I am going to check with a couple other people I know to see if they know anyone they can introduce me to. I think I just have the after Christmas moody blues. I just had frosted flakes for dinner and a few bbq chips. My protein shakes are getting cold. I made my two vegetarians Boca burgers and a regular burger for my meat eater - I wanted a burger with a bun, but I know that won't work so I had the cereal. So who is meeting us on Sat? I think me, Maria, Candra, Riley and who else? We want to make sure we don't leave someone.

I love you right back! LOL, we'll get you eatin' our freaky-healthy vegetarian food yet, LOL. I don't think even Tina eats tofu!! Fry it up crispy & salty enough though, OOYAA Pami I'm invited and not going either! I can't afford one party, and I can't afford to go sit at a bar for the other one. Chris has Chris Jr. so he's not coming over and we can't do anything . . . I can deal tho, will walk down to Round Table to see youngest at work, have a couple of beers with middle son, and walk back home! Then talk to Chris on the computer half the night, LOL. My life is BORING . . . . but I like it :-)

I will be in Mexico this time next week! I am so excited! I started my pre-op today, i am a vegetarian....so high Protein low carb is SOOOOO hard for me! I had about 40 carbs today....pretty good for a start i think....it's so hard, but i can do it. I can't even begin to imagine life afterwards, I hope to be so much happier and healthier! Thank you to everyone for the encouragement and advice! Anyone have any last minute tips....or maybe a list of must-haves for the hospital??? Love to all of you!

I had this nice long post typed in and fell asleep at the computer last night....literally. I ended up over typing everything with a kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk. Now I can't remember all the stuff I wrote. Apples, your generosity is wonderful. It's nice you try and include people that might not have anywhere else to go. You are so set up to cook for 20 or more that I suspect it's no big deal for you. Charlene, that check thing to Santa is pretty funny. Now why did Santa need a check? To help pay for reindeer food? It is so much fun to create the illusion for little kids..as much fun for the parents (or should be) as for the kids. Hey I got a Chatty Cathy one year. Lori, sorry about your leg...you rest today. Your Grandma is very lucky to have you and you to have her. I hope she gets through the decision making alright. It's pretty tough for them at that age and it's very nice she has you to help her. So you didn't mention your own traditions, just your DH's. Did you adopt his? Laura K...mimosa? Sounds like a great new tradition. I can just imagine the kids with their cookies. Must have been lots of fun. Julie, your Christmas sounds nice too...not too much cooking and being close to those you love. What did your parents tell you about having presents early? Phyl, your RV looks great...congrats on the prize!! So are you driving that decorated RV up to the SF area of just taking your regular vehicle? It seems like a lot of work to pack up your house for a short trip. The decorations really do look great. I love Christmas lights. Cheri...I can understand why you don't have any set traditions with all the changes you've had over the years. I'm also sorry you don't seem to have a really good friend (besides your DH). What I wish for you in the New Year is to find a really good girl friend...a really good friend will love you no matter how abrasive you might be and will stick with you through anything. I find my friends really help me through the rough times. They put up with me no matter what. It really makes my life fuller. I wish the same for you. Janet...you've had a few changes too. You've handled everything so well and I'm glad you are happy. The story about Star and the tree rearranging is pretty funny. How did you manage to sleep through that? Sorry about the leg cramps. Hope that gets better quickly. I stayed up rather late last night....falling asleep at the computer. I've started on the prep for Christmas Dinner. The number is growing, 16 confirmed and 19 possible. I'll have to borrow chairs from my friend. Today is trash day, so I cooked all the meat (chicken, pork, sausage, hamburger) last night and deboned the chicken and drained all the fat off so I could get it in the trash today. We have trash pickup only once a week and if I get all the stinky stuff in today, I won't have to smell it later in the week. So the chicken (organic thighs) and pork (tenderloin) will be ground with some proscuitto to make the meat filling for ravioli. I'll get that together today and will just have to add the eggs on Friday before stuffing. The hamburger (home ground beef) and italian sausage (made at a local shop) is now simmering with seasonings and tomatoes to make meat sauce. I have the vegetarian sauce already made and in the freezer. I'll make cheese filling today too without the eggs and add the eggs Friday. I'm also going to make butternut squash ravioli with a sage and browned butter sauce. So besides three kinds of ravioli, we are having 3 sauces, caesar salad with home made dressing and croutons. Fresh bread (DH makes sourdough and I make regular). Appetizers are white bean and garlic dip, veggies, roasted olives, a meat and cheese antipasto with marinated mushroom and artichokes. Fresh bread with olive oil (oil I brought back from SF). Desert is all the cookies and stuff I have from cookie exchange, a pear cobbler with cranberry streusel and a cheese board with a bunch of cheeses and fruit. I love to cook like this, but I'm usually exhaused by the end of the process. So if you don't hear from me you'll know why. I'm trying to pace myself so I'm not so wiped out I can't function. Do I take on too much....maybe, but I really enjoy the food prep and I love when people eat it and love it. I also like the interaction of all these people I know...I could just be a fly on the wall and be happy. I did get on the scale today after weeks of being afraid to do it. I'm up 2 pounds.....and I've been at this level for a while. I was afraid I had gained 5 or more pounds. YIPEE, I love my band. I really believe that after Christmas I'll be getting back on the "band wagon" and applying myself to eating right and the weight will start dropping again. I think I needed the time for my body to adjust to this weight and then it will be ready to let go and I'll start losing again. Okay, I'm off to do something...I have to clean the dining room and get it set up for a bunch of people. Later, Eva

A bit long but very funny! FROM: Patricia Harris, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: 4th DECEMBER RE: Christmas Party I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols...please feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if the Managing Director shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1.00 p.m. Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over 10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets. This gathering is only for employees! The Managing Director will make a special announcement at the Party. Merry Christmas to you and your Family Patricia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FROM: Patricia Harris, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: 5th December RE: Holiday Party In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our ' Holiday Party.' The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians. There will be no Christmas tree or Christmas carols sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment. Happy now? Happy Holidays to you and your family, Patricia. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FROM; Patricia Harris, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE : 6th December RE: Holiday Party Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table...you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only," you wouldn't be anonymous anymore!!!! How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody? Forget about the gift exchange, no gift exchange allowed now since the Union Officials feel that 10.00 is too much money and Management believe 10.00 is a little cheap. NO GIFT EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED. Patricia. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FROM: Patricia Harris, Human Resources Director TO: All Employees DATE: 7th December RE: Holiday Party What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20th begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during day l i ght hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs, perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party - or else package everything up for you to take home in a little foil doggy bag. Will that work? Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the toilets, Gays are allowed to sit with each other, Lesbians do not have to sit with gay men, each will have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangements for the gay men's table, too. To the person asking permission to cross dress - no cross dressing allowed. And No, no blow-up sheep. We will have booster seats for short people. Low fat food will be available for those on a diet. We cannot control the salt used in the food. We suggest those people with high blood pressure taste the food first. There will be fresh fruits as dessert for Diabetics, the restaurant cannot supply "No Sugar" Desserts. Sorry! Did I miss anything?!?!?!?!?! Patricia. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FROM: Patricia Harris , Human Resources Director TO: All F*****G Employees DATE: 8th December RE: The ******** Holiday Party. Vegetarian pricks I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death", as you so quaintly put it. You'll get your f****** salad bar, including organic tomatoes, but you know tomatoes have feeling, too. They scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right NOW!! Hope you all have a rotten holiday * drink, drive, and die! The Bitch from HELL!!!!!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FROM: John Bishop - Acting Human Resources Director DATE: 12th December RE: Patricia Harris and Holiday Party I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patricia a speedy recovery, and I'll continue to forward your cards to her. In the meantime, Management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and instead, give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd December off with full pay.

"Luck" Riley - can't wait to hear the details! I understand about not losing any weight even though you haven't eaten anything - that's been happening to me! Tamra - when Bev called on the gal who drank the alcohol she said she was callling on her at that time because she had to leave early - so I don't think it was out of shame. I put a little alarm on my phone to go off the day before the meeting so I'll txt you when i get it. I really need to try to get back on my eating schedule. since I've only been eating like once a day I haven't lost anything - when I eat something small every 3-4 hours I lose fast. Problem with that is when I start to eat is when I have the problem because i don't want to stop. So much easier just not to start Oh, riley - I got some frozen edamame and i was wondering what the best way is to prepare them? I've never made them before - more like peas or beans??? Vegetarian rookie over here.

Good Morning everyone. Once again I've been MIA because I've been trying to get everything done before my little trip and get set up for Christmas. I've been doing Christmas cards after work and I can't do that and read posts for some reason...I'd end up responding to a post on a Christmas card and who ever got it would really think I've lost my marbles. Apples, when we go to Florida...I'll bring some tamales. I threw the extra ones in the freezer so they'll ready to go. They are NOT low fat food, but one isn't going to kill you. These are vegetarian tamales, no lard. Made with butter and vegetable stock. Your baking is amazing...I can't even imagine making that much stuff because I don't have anyone around to eat it. Janet, I still love reading your posts....you still are an inspiration and thank you. It's helping me get back on track. Julie, I'm so glad to read you are sleeping better. You sound so much more positive and happy. A good nights sleep is a great mood elevator. I've noticed that myself. So you don't want to work at a day care do you? I think (as my sister says) it's great to be a grandma because you can love the little ones, then hand them back. All the previous posts on steel cut oatmeal got me inspired to make some....just took it off the stove. I'll have a late breakfast before heading off to Phoenix to catch the plane....yum...I add dried fruit and cinnamon to mine too. Sometimes I'll eat is as a savory dish, a little salt and pepper on it. Lori, I'm thinking of you during your surgery. I know everything will go well, you have a great attitude and that is a great part of the healing process. Laura, I'm so sorry you have to go through this with your parents. I understand the sadness is overwhelming and your concern for your Mom is difficult. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hi Joann....glad to see you back. Sounds like you've been very busy. Congrats on your 1 year bandiversary. Both of my sisters are quilters too. It's an amazing skill and art. Both sisters have long arm quilting machines too...one has a giant Gammel and the other has a much smaller Jewel. Of course, I benefit from their art....no complaints there. Meredith, your picts are amazing. You look fabulous. Good luck with your end of semester and the house. Yipee, home ownership soon I hope!! Laura K....glad to see you here again. Your carmel corn recipe looks good, might have to try that some day. Linda, you are so upbeat and positive. How's the hip doing? 1 day....sorry about the really long shifts...I understand about being busy. I'm not sure we have anything planned for Florida beyond the rooms. I believe there are tons of things to do and with as many of us as there are, I'm sure we will be doing something and/or you'll find one of us willing to do what you want to do. When I visited Janet, I found just sitting around talking worked too....we really had a lot to share. Jewel, once again, sorry about the issues with your family. They are tough. The band will not make you lose weight. Only you can do that. I'm speaking from a little bit of experience here. I was banded in July and am totally stalled out right now because of MY poor food choices....not failure of the band. The band is working, but it doesn't stop me putting crap into my mouth. If you want this "system" to work you will have to make it work. Absolutly follow your doctor's advise. I was on liquids for three weeks after banding and a very strict diet three weeks before banding. It really helped shrink my stomach, settle my blood sugar levels and helped immensely with the hunger issues after banding. It was worth every minute of it. Arlene, I tried polent a couple of times and didn't like it, but now I really like it. It's yellow corn meal...don't know the difference between cornmeal and masa, but it may be the proecessing. I've made polenta, let it firm up, cut it in squares and saute it (basically to warm it) and put a poached egg on top with a little pesto. Yum. Okay, all the chores are done...it's taken me 4 hours to write this post. I just need to get dressed and head out. I'm going to San Francisco to meet my DH who is at a geophysics conference there. For me, it's any excuse to travel. I have someone coming in to watch the animals and I think all is set. I have to drive to Phoenix to catch the plane, it's saving me over $100 even with the gas to drive there and parking. I was supposed to be wrapping presents this morning, but I'd rather catch up with all of you. I miss being here. So I'll be gone again for a while, but hopefully will be able to be more regular after Christmas. I don't have any big plans after Christmas dinner. Have a good weekend.....(maybe I'll be able to use DH's computer and check in while I'm gone...ooohhhh, hummmm....what an idea!) Eva

I found this on line. After reading it and having a good chuckle, I realized that some of these are much truer than most people realize. It sort of defines the core differences of the conservative being independent and the liberal being dependent – mostly on the Gov’t. I guess it comes down to liberals feeling inadequate and wanting someone to provide for them or someone to make their life easier. Or maybe they are feeling sorry for some other person (guilty about their own success maybe?) and wanting someone to help that person instead of extending their own hand in assistance. Anyway, if you are liberal, are you offended by the comparison below? Do you see any truth in it? If a conservative doesn’t like guns, he doesn’t buy one. If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed. If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat. If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone. If a conservative sees a foreign threat, he thinks about how to defeat his enemy. A liberal wonders how to surrender gracefully and still look good. If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life. If a liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect. If a black man or Hispanic is conservative, they see themselves as independently successful. Their liberal counterparts see themselves as victims in need of government protection. If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation. A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him. If a conservative doesn’t like a talk show host, he switches channels. Liberals demand that those they don’t like be shut down. If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn’t go to church. A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced. (Unless it’s a foreign religion, of course!) If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it. A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his. If a conservative slips and falls in a store, he gets up, laughs and is embarrassed. If a liberal slips and falls, he grabs his neck, moans like he's in labor and then sues. If a conservative reads this, he’ll have a good laugh. A liberal will delete it because he's "offended".

Pierogies come in the box... but they have them in small bags and I am tooooo lazy to go downstairs for the name of the one we use flavors...... potato potato with onions and potato with cheddar cheese I get them on sale for less than a dollar and they are really good...no heartburn either Jen- Your soup looks yummy Do you serve them in bread bowls... DS loves it that way Bread Bowls... crusty round high rolls (we have a wholesale bakery close by) and cut off top ... toast inside alittle and fill with soup..... My DH is a vegetarian so ugh I pull my teeth out with him...very difficult to feed Jen..this might be up your alley the chinese restaurant sells shrimp in lobster sauce I take campbells low fat cream of mushroom soup and add plenty of powdered skim milk for extra protein and some milk or water to thicken...add the frozen cut up carrrots and peas...heat ...then you can add seafood and heat up...I add strips of pollack (thick fish) or catfish nuggets and cook in the soup (cooks quickly)....add some soy sauce...taste adjust seasonings to your family needs...I serve for DH over rice but I eat it as a soup........did i say yummo or OMG...what am I going to do with that left over chicken:cursing: Take some chicken broth or cubes whatever heat up add some cornstarch or potatoe starch to thicken add some soy sauce could add optionals some ginger or chinese seasoning or chives then add the chicken (cube it) mix and heat more taste..yummo continue not adjust seasoning serve over rice and then add some cashews over it and they will eat....... ................... my son just called from school..so forgot what i was going to write he called..and i thought the worse...but it was so funny...the school allowed him to make the call on their phone...never here goes..ma, why did send me to school with cannelli beans me..what??????????? me..now he is in high school...did I pack your sandwich ds...yes, ma...why did you pack me a can of beans (had to repeat it)..(personally, I think the school wants to know if I am ok) me...are you ok him...yes mom me...ok, eat your lunch and bring back the beans him..bye and he is lol ing so:sneaky::thumbup::sneaky::thumbup::sneaky :thumbup::cursing:now my high schooler will be digging this in for a few days:scared2::thumbup::scared2::thumbup:

It's vegetarian and even Kosher. There is no real bacon in it. If you have high blood pressure, make sure to get the low sodium types.

my problem is bread especially sandwiches -- i haven't even got my first fill but I planned on eating 1/4 of a veggie sandwich (i'm a vegetarian) and i ate 2 bites and had a major problem -- i had to throw it up. So lately I've been trying to stay away from breads. I don't have a problem with oatmeal or even wraps -- but bread.. forget about it!