Another lb lost--for a TOTAL of 54 lbs lost. Yippee! So today, I rewarded myself by ordering 5 or 6 (I can't remember which) new tops from the Ulla Popken on-line catalog--in the next size (or 2; I can't decide which) smaller. Woo Hoo!! I was wearing a 24/26 and I ordered a 20/22--is that 1 size smaller or 2?? One of the mysteries of the ages...
I think my next reward may be a USB Keyboard! For the most part, I like my netbook, but the integral mouse pad thingy is WAY TOO sensitive. Just my thumbs in the air above the silly thing is enough to move the mouse! What is up with that?! I'll look up and it's all gobblety-gook! Stupid thing!
Anyway, if it were warmer, I'd think I'd moved to the tropics or something, the weather has been that weird. One minute it's sunny but by the time you get ready to go outside, it's coming down in buckets again. I'm glad I've been grilling for several days when I can...
I've really been wanting cheese today for some reason. Maybe I'll send an e-mail to the Dukan folks and see what they think of fat-free Cheddar. Personally, I don't think much of it myself--but melted in an omlette occasionally, it might be enough to put that craving to sleep. I was going to report it (there's a section down at the bottom of the daily report) but cheese wasn't listed; neither is peanut butter. I think chocolate is there but it's the only thing I've wanted since the diet started that's listed. Maybe I just have weird cravings... I managed to not succumb by complaining in my blog, which I guess is the whole point.
I saw in my news feed earlier that the FDA has approved a new diet pill, which gave me a chuckle. Who needs diet pills?! I've tried diet pills (along with every other gimmick that's come out) and they never worked for me. The Dukan Diet is working for me, longer and better than ANYTHING I've ever tried. I'll admit that this might not work for everyone, but it's working well for me. I think it helps that I don't like fruit, I like to cook and I'm single so I'm not inflicting it on anyone but me--but whatever--it works!
Off to Scotland in the morning for the day. Jeff wants to check out a pub in Dumfries called The Globe Inn, with a Rabbie Burns connection. Tomorrow is a PV (protein and veggies) day and I looked up their menu on-line and I'm good to go. I just love the internet for stuff like this!
Saturday 30 June 2012
Friday 29 June 2012
29 June 2012
Another fab day!! Down another 2 lbs for a TOTAL of 53 lbs lost! Yippee!! I did my Betty's class on Wednesday and a guy in the class told us about Langthorne's (http://www.langthornes-buffalo-produce.co.uk/) out just past Northallerton; they raise buffalos there and sell the meat in their shop. They also have some other game, including wapati, which I think is elk; I saw a few of those today and they look like elk, although not as big as the ones I saw in Rocky Mountain National Park. I went for a drive out that way this morning and got a couple of (water) buffalo burgers to try.
I've been hearing some folks talking on the radio about the jet stream and how it seems to be parked right over Britain right now, which accounts for the very unseasonably wet and cool summer we're having so far. I did manage to get the barbie fired up and a few burgers and chicken skewers cooked tonight, although it looked very threatening throughout. The burgers were very nice! They're not gamey at all and they're leaner than beef, although not as quite as lean (substitute dry) as bison
I also did a search on "Steve's Leaves" and got some of those for my salad on PV days. Pretty good stuff! I don't like the thick stalks and ribs on the older lettuce so I was real happy with this stuff. It's all baby leaves and micro-herbs and they're very tasty.
I put up a sign on the chair the veggie guy has been using to try to direct him to the correct spot. I don't know whether the sign helped or not but today was the 1st time in 4 weeks he got the delivery right. I was getting to the point where I didn't want to be here when he dropped off the veggies because I probably would have insulted him--loudly. But he got it right today--FINALLY--so things are looking up. [I'm just pessimistic enough to worry that it's a one-off! You know the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.] I think one of my jobs tomorrow should be trimming back that bush! It's really out of control. I won't get too aggressive with it but it does need a trim.
I've been hearing some folks talking on the radio about the jet stream and how it seems to be parked right over Britain right now, which accounts for the very unseasonably wet and cool summer we're having so far. I did manage to get the barbie fired up and a few burgers and chicken skewers cooked tonight, although it looked very threatening throughout. The burgers were very nice! They're not gamey at all and they're leaner than beef, although not as quite as lean (substitute dry) as bison
I also did a search on "Steve's Leaves" and got some of those for my salad on PV days. Pretty good stuff! I don't like the thick stalks and ribs on the older lettuce so I was real happy with this stuff. It's all baby leaves and micro-herbs and they're very tasty.
I put up a sign on the chair the veggie guy has been using to try to direct him to the correct spot. I don't know whether the sign helped or not but today was the 1st time in 4 weeks he got the delivery right. I was getting to the point where I didn't want to be here when he dropped off the veggies because I probably would have insulted him--loudly. But he got it right today--FINALLY--so things are looking up. [I'm just pessimistic enough to worry that it's a one-off! You know the definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.] I think one of my jobs tomorrow should be trimming back that bush! It's really out of control. I won't get too aggressive with it but it does need a trim.
Thursday 28 June 2012
28 June 2012
Down another lb, for a TOTAL of 51 lbs!! Yippee!
They've been talking about 'micro-herbs' in my cooking classes for awhile now and yesterday I found out they're sold as "Steve's Leaves". They say you can get them at Waitrose, although apparently not the one in Harrogate, but Sainsbury's and ASDA carry them. I picked up a couple of bags today, so I'll try them tomorrow. Very twee!
It's raining again, so I may not get much done this break.
They've been talking about 'micro-herbs' in my cooking classes for awhile now and yesterday I found out they're sold as "Steve's Leaves". They say you can get them at Waitrose, although apparently not the one in Harrogate, but Sainsbury's and ASDA carry them. I picked up a couple of bags today, so I'll try them tomorrow. Very twee!
It's raining again, so I may not get much done this break.
Wednesday 27 June 2012
27 June 2012
My Betty's class was awesome! And I must be making progress--in spite of being on another plateau at the moment--because I made it the whole way through the class without giving up. I've been having to give the last thing a miss in a couple of classes because I was too tired. I'm still tired but I finished everything. Yippee!
Today we made Chicken Jalfrezi with Fragrant Rice, Moroccan Lamb with Couscous, Pork Pho (my personal fav, although the Chicken Jalfrezi was pretty fab) and Bombay Potatoes. I didn't have any of the lamb because that's not on the diet, although Jeff said it was good. I did have a bite of the potatoes, even though they're not on the diet too, so I'm not sure how I can rationalize one but not the other :-)
The Pork Pho is a Vietnamese nodle soup, although when I tried it, I didn't have any noodles. The meat and broth are cooked together then the noodles are softened and the soup is assembled. I'll be making more of this because it's very easy--and very easy to customize.
I asked for the low-fat diet option for lunch and they did salmon with salad leaves and green beans. Pretty good stuff! My next class is late-July, when I'll be taking Everyday Delicious. I still have 4 more days off, so hopefully the weather won't go to pot!
Today we made Chicken Jalfrezi with Fragrant Rice, Moroccan Lamb with Couscous, Pork Pho (my personal fav, although the Chicken Jalfrezi was pretty fab) and Bombay Potatoes. I didn't have any of the lamb because that's not on the diet, although Jeff said it was good. I did have a bite of the potatoes, even though they're not on the diet too, so I'm not sure how I can rationalize one but not the other :-)
The Pork Pho is a Vietnamese nodle soup, although when I tried it, I didn't have any noodles. The meat and broth are cooked together then the noodles are softened and the soup is assembled. I'll be making more of this because it's very easy--and very easy to customize.
I asked for the low-fat diet option for lunch and they did salmon with salad leaves and green beans. Pretty good stuff! My next class is late-July, when I'll be taking Everyday Delicious. I still have 4 more days off, so hopefully the weather won't go to pot!
Monday 25 June 2012
25 June 2012
Boring day! On a plateau, so no progress to report :-( On a happier note, I did really well with my lumosity (cognitive function) training today. Just one more day shift and then a 5-day break. Yippee! Hopefully the weather won't be a total wash-out this break.
Saturday 23 June 2012
23 June 2012
Woo Hoo! Down another lb for a TOTAL of 50 lbs! It's another wet, overcast day and my knee is very unhappy; my only consolation is that it would be A LOT unhappier if it was supporting that lost 50 lbs! (There's always a silver lining in there somewhere!)
I've been getting a veggie box delivered since I got back almost 3 years ago--and up until 3 weeks ago, I was very happy with this. But then my route got a new driver and things have generally gone to pot! The new guy has managed to leave the boxes in the wrong place and he hasn't picked up the past week's box(es) in all that time, so I'm getting a huge collection of boxes which are getting ruined in all the rain we've been having. I've called every week to let them know he's getting it wrong--and not picking up the empties--but so far, no joy. I think I'm going to block off the place he's been using and leave a sign with very explicit directions for Friday's delivery. What an idiot! If he would just look up when he sets down the box, he would see where it belongs. At this point, I'm hoping I don't see him on Friday because he won't like what I have to say!
The Phoenix Players are doing their annual variety show tonight so I'm off to see that. Happily, it's a PV (protein and veggie) day, so I'm going to have dinner out at the Turkish Baths Chinese Restaurant in Harrogate before the show. As long as I give the rice and/or noodles a miss, I'll be OK. I start back on my day shifts on Sunday morning, but it's only 3 days this time since I took the last one off for my Betty's class--the Spice Box 2. Should be yummy!
I've been getting a veggie box delivered since I got back almost 3 years ago--and up until 3 weeks ago, I was very happy with this. But then my route got a new driver and things have generally gone to pot! The new guy has managed to leave the boxes in the wrong place and he hasn't picked up the past week's box(es) in all that time, so I'm getting a huge collection of boxes which are getting ruined in all the rain we've been having. I've called every week to let them know he's getting it wrong--and not picking up the empties--but so far, no joy. I think I'm going to block off the place he's been using and leave a sign with very explicit directions for Friday's delivery. What an idiot! If he would just look up when he sets down the box, he would see where it belongs. At this point, I'm hoping I don't see him on Friday because he won't like what I have to say!
The Phoenix Players are doing their annual variety show tonight so I'm off to see that. Happily, it's a PV (protein and veggie) day, so I'm going to have dinner out at the Turkish Baths Chinese Restaurant in Harrogate before the show. As long as I give the rice and/or noodles a miss, I'll be OK. I start back on my day shifts on Sunday morning, but it's only 3 days this time since I took the last one off for my Betty's class--the Spice Box 2. Should be yummy!
Friday 22 June 2012
22 June 2012
Woo Hoo! Down another lb--for a TOTAL of 49 lbs lost! Yippee!! Not much else besides that going on though; I think we need to start bilding the Ark, as it's been another extremely rainy day. We're still 23 days out from St Swithin's Day (15 July) but at this rate, it's going to be a cold, wet summer...
Since I can't get out and get pictures, I did a bit more (dreaded) housework and got a few more things added to the charity bag. I'd much rather be out getting pictures! I read that Harvey Wallace--the band leader on the RMS Titanic--was from Colne, which is only about 30 miles from here, and there's a nice memorial there, but it's too wet even for that!
Since I can't get out and get pictures, I did a bit more (dreaded) housework and got a few more things added to the charity bag. I'd much rather be out getting pictures! I read that Harvey Wallace--the band leader on the RMS Titanic--was from Colne, which is only about 30 miles from here, and there's a nice memorial there, but it's too wet even for that!
Thursday 21 June 2012
21 June 2012
Happy Summer Solstice! Unfortunately, no one saw the sunrise here this morning. It's a very wet day! No puffins :-( No castles (specifically Warwick and Kenilworth) :-( Housework has moved to the top of the list :-( What a bummer!
I broke out the new jeans my daughter sent me--in a size SMALLER!--and they fit great! Yippee!! So I'm doing a load of laundry and washing the pair that I was having trouble keeping up, so I can toss them in the charity bag. What a great feeling! So even though I'm sitting on a little plateau right now, I'm still pretty motivated.
Even though it's pouring down rain this morning, I went in to town and got the new Carlos Ruiz Zafon--Prisoner of Heaven--at Waterstones. It's the sequel to Shadow of the Wind, one of my all time favorite books. And of course, I can never just get the book I came for, so I had a prowl and picked up The Norman Conquest by Marc Morris, a book on perfectly tossed salads and another book on picnic foods. So now I'm in a quandry: I was going to start Crucible, but then Advent looked interesting and now I have Prsoner of Heaven. So many books... So little time...
I got our self-catering cottage booked for the 1st week in August; a little place that looks equi-distant to Cherbourg and Bayeux. I was looking at the Poole or Portsmouth ferries to Cherbourg but those are almost L500! Sheesh! And really poor sailing times! The Chunnel is only about L177 and has a much better choice of departure times, but then there's a lot of driving once we get to France. I still have time to decide what to do but I'm on a roll with the planning and I just want to get it all booked. Maybe we'll split the difference and take the ferry to Cherbourg and the Chunnel back. We head home on Friday, so that wonderful little cheese shop in Calais (La Maison du Vin et Fromage) will be open...
I was really getting worried when I started looking for self-catering cottages in Normandy because it was looking like there was no availability in August, but as I worked thru the list, it started to open up. It almost looks like people were starting at the top of the list and just booking the first thing that met their requirements, so as I got deeper into the list, dates started to become available. I'm looking forward to this trip because we have a lot of relaxing planned!
I broke out the new jeans my daughter sent me--in a size SMALLER!--and they fit great! Yippee!! So I'm doing a load of laundry and washing the pair that I was having trouble keeping up, so I can toss them in the charity bag. What a great feeling! So even though I'm sitting on a little plateau right now, I'm still pretty motivated.
Even though it's pouring down rain this morning, I went in to town and got the new Carlos Ruiz Zafon--Prisoner of Heaven--at Waterstones. It's the sequel to Shadow of the Wind, one of my all time favorite books. And of course, I can never just get the book I came for, so I had a prowl and picked up The Norman Conquest by Marc Morris, a book on perfectly tossed salads and another book on picnic foods. So now I'm in a quandry: I was going to start Crucible, but then Advent looked interesting and now I have Prsoner of Heaven. So many books... So little time...
I got our self-catering cottage booked for the 1st week in August; a little place that looks equi-distant to Cherbourg and Bayeux. I was looking at the Poole or Portsmouth ferries to Cherbourg but those are almost L500! Sheesh! And really poor sailing times! The Chunnel is only about L177 and has a much better choice of departure times, but then there's a lot of driving once we get to France. I still have time to decide what to do but I'm on a roll with the planning and I just want to get it all booked. Maybe we'll split the difference and take the ferry to Cherbourg and the Chunnel back. We head home on Friday, so that wonderful little cheese shop in Calais (La Maison du Vin et Fromage) will be open...
I was really getting worried when I started looking for self-catering cottages in Normandy because it was looking like there was no availability in August, but as I worked thru the list, it started to open up. It almost looks like people were starting at the top of the list and just booking the first thing that met their requirements, so as I got deeper into the list, dates started to become available. I'm looking forward to this trip because we have a lot of relaxing planned!
Wednesday 20 June 2012
20 June 2012
It was a lo-o-o-ong set of graves! I didn't do anything for the past 4 days but sleep and work--which doesn't make for exciting blog entries, so I didn't bother. The weather has been gorgeous the past few days, so now that I'm off, it's rapidly going to pot!
I wanted to take a trip north to the Farne Islands so I could see the puffins but tomorrow is supposed to be heavy seas, so that may have to wait for another break. The back-up plan is Warwick and Kenilworth Castles so long as it's not chucking down rain. The rain plan is to finally do some housework, which is not my idea of a good time, so I'm holding out for no rain. I'm hoping to be able to grill a few chicken breasts for the next few days... It's not looking good!
My friend Penny sent me a box full of books, so I'll have plenty to read regardless of what the weather does. Yippee! I think I'm going to start with Crucible by S.G. MacLean; I got an e-mail today about the Inverness Book Festival and this is one of their featured book. I probably won't make the Festival but I can still take a look at some of their featured books.
I'm on a plateau (again--dammit!) right now but 48 lbs is nothing to sneeze at. I had a brain wave (very painful) Monday night and decided to order some sashimi from The Orchid restaurant in Harrogate for my supper Tuesday night. I got to the restaurant a few minutes early, let them know I was there and went to use the loo--since I don't seem to be able to wait more than 30 seconds between sandbox breaks. [This is not a feature of the diet--I've always been that way.] Anyway, I went in to the loo--and got the surprise of my young life! The last time I had dinner at The Orchid, the loo was a very tight fit! [Brits generally don't waste much space on toilets.] Now, it was no problem! I was stunned! And after I finished, I sat down to wait on my order and actually had wiggle room (and a surprising amount of wiggle room) in the chair they have for people waiting on take-aways or bookings. All this is VERY motivating.
I have my next Bettys Cookery School class on Wednesday of next week--The Spice Box 2:
I find I get a bit twitchy if I don't have a Bettys class to look forward to, so I also booked "Everyday Delicious" (This fabulous selection of dishes offer an array of mouth-watering flavours inspired by the Mediterranean and warmer climes - perfect for relaxed summer meals with family and friends. You’ll prepare: whole roast chicken with lemon & rosemary; Greek lamb koftas served with a rich tomato & oregano sauce; Cajun spiced salmon goujons with a tangy vegetable salsa; and Tunisian orange cake.) for late next month, right before I head off to France and a beach cottage (fingers crossed!) for a week. Amazingly, the chicken and salmon are on the diet :-)
I wanted to take a trip north to the Farne Islands so I could see the puffins but tomorrow is supposed to be heavy seas, so that may have to wait for another break. The back-up plan is Warwick and Kenilworth Castles so long as it's not chucking down rain. The rain plan is to finally do some housework, which is not my idea of a good time, so I'm holding out for no rain. I'm hoping to be able to grill a few chicken breasts for the next few days... It's not looking good!
My friend Penny sent me a box full of books, so I'll have plenty to read regardless of what the weather does. Yippee! I think I'm going to start with Crucible by S.G. MacLean; I got an e-mail today about the Inverness Book Festival and this is one of their featured book. I probably won't make the Festival but I can still take a look at some of their featured books.
I'm on a plateau (again--dammit!) right now but 48 lbs is nothing to sneeze at. I had a brain wave (very painful) Monday night and decided to order some sashimi from The Orchid restaurant in Harrogate for my supper Tuesday night. I got to the restaurant a few minutes early, let them know I was there and went to use the loo--since I don't seem to be able to wait more than 30 seconds between sandbox breaks. [This is not a feature of the diet--I've always been that way.] Anyway, I went in to the loo--and got the surprise of my young life! The last time I had dinner at The Orchid, the loo was a very tight fit! [Brits generally don't waste much space on toilets.] Now, it was no problem! I was stunned! And after I finished, I sat down to wait on my order and actually had wiggle room (and a surprising amount of wiggle room) in the chair they have for people waiting on take-aways or bookings. All this is VERY motivating.
I have my next Bettys Cookery School class on Wednesday of next week--The Spice Box 2:
A further selection of authentic recipes using an assortment of fragrant spices and the essential information and tips on how to best use them. From turmeric to star anise, cumin to mustard seeds, you will find that variety really is the spice of life as you make: chicken jalfrezi; Moroccan spiced lamb; pork pho (a Vietnamese noodle soup); and Bombay potatoes. Yum! Yum!
I find I get a bit twitchy if I don't have a Bettys class to look forward to, so I also booked "Everyday Delicious" (This fabulous selection of dishes offer an array of mouth-watering flavours inspired by the Mediterranean and warmer climes - perfect for relaxed summer meals with family and friends. You’ll prepare: whole roast chicken with lemon & rosemary; Greek lamb koftas served with a rich tomato & oregano sauce; Cajun spiced salmon goujons with a tangy vegetable salsa; and Tunisian orange cake.) for late next month, right before I head off to France and a beach cottage (fingers crossed!) for a week. Amazingly, the chicken and salmon are on the diet :-)
Saturday 16 June 2012
16 June 2012
Today is going to be short since I start my graves tonight. I just have time to get my lunch ready for tonight, hit the commissary for some Buffalo Wing Chicken breast (I LOVE that stuff!) and get a nap. I think I'm glad it's kind of a threatening day--weather-wise--because otherwise, I'd be tempted to get out and get some pictures--and miss a bunch of sleep. Not a good way to start a set so I'm glad the weather is a bit naff. I just have to wait on the dryer before I head out.
Down another lb this morning for a total of 48 lbs lost. If I'm true to the recent pattern, I have maybe one more day before the next plateau, although, as I've probably mentioned before, if they weren't having me weigh every day, I'd probably never see the things. But I'm (mostly) happy to do this their way, since I AM losing weight--and that is the whole point!
Since today is a PP (pure protein) day, I'm taking my oat bran pancake (the only excepion to the whole PP/PV thing), fat-free cottage cheese, prawns, Buffalo Wing Chicken, 1-2 grilled hamburgers from last night and Dukan devilled eggs in to work. Probably way more food that I'll eat, but it's better than going hungry and being tempted by something bad! Although I have to say, since I've been off sugar (and most processed foods) since 2 May, I haven't really had any cravings/ temptations. Even chocolate doesn't look particularly interesting and I never thought I'd get to that point!
p.s. I don't usually go back and re-visit (as in add additional comments to) my entries, but I thought this was too funny to pass up :-) I've subscribed to lumosity.com and I do a bit of "brain training" every day. Most of the time they just let me get on with it but today they sent me an e-mail to encourage my continued participation. This e-mail also said: "In a study of over 2,000 older adults, targeted cognitive training boosted performance in areas such as speed, reasoning, and memory. Adults who trained performed better on assessments compared to a control group; five years later, they still outperformed the control. Trained participants also self-reported being better at basic life skills such as housework, shopping, finance management, and more."
Improved housework!? Now I do believe the bit about the benefits of training continuing--but I'm not real sure brain training is going to help my housework since on a good day I'm beyond rubbish at the whole process! But I thought it was funny and I just had to add it.
Down another lb this morning for a total of 48 lbs lost. If I'm true to the recent pattern, I have maybe one more day before the next plateau, although, as I've probably mentioned before, if they weren't having me weigh every day, I'd probably never see the things. But I'm (mostly) happy to do this their way, since I AM losing weight--and that is the whole point!
Since today is a PP (pure protein) day, I'm taking my oat bran pancake (the only excepion to the whole PP/PV thing), fat-free cottage cheese, prawns, Buffalo Wing Chicken, 1-2 grilled hamburgers from last night and Dukan devilled eggs in to work. Probably way more food that I'll eat, but it's better than going hungry and being tempted by something bad! Although I have to say, since I've been off sugar (and most processed foods) since 2 May, I haven't really had any cravings/ temptations. Even chocolate doesn't look particularly interesting and I never thought I'd get to that point!
p.s. I don't usually go back and re-visit (as in add additional comments to) my entries, but I thought this was too funny to pass up :-) I've subscribed to lumosity.com and I do a bit of "brain training" every day. Most of the time they just let me get on with it but today they sent me an e-mail to encourage my continued participation. This e-mail also said: "In a study of over 2,000 older adults, targeted cognitive training boosted performance in areas such as speed, reasoning, and memory. Adults who trained performed better on assessments compared to a control group; five years later, they still outperformed the control. Trained participants also self-reported being better at basic life skills such as housework, shopping, finance management, and more."
Improved housework!? Now I do believe the bit about the benefits of training continuing--but I'm not real sure brain training is going to help my housework since on a good day I'm beyond rubbish at the whole process! But I thought it was funny and I just had to add it.
Friday 15 June 2012
15 June 2012
I'm getting webbed feet! It has rained off-and-on (mostly on!) all day long. No Spofforth Castle. I was barely able to get a few burgers grilled between the downpours. We even had some lightening--a very rare event in this part of the country/world.
Down another lb for a total of 47 lbs lost. Yippee!! I had my massage this morning, which was very nice then came home and got rid of a few more things that are too big. I may actually get my closet to a manageable size!
I had the leftover veggies from Wednesday night with my burgers tonight (it's a PV day)--and they were just as good tonight as they were then. I'm amazed at how good grilled veggies are! I have to say I was a bit skeptical but I got one of those mesh "frying pans" from Williams-Sonoma and I'm hooked! You don't even need any oil. I just chopped up some red peppers, cut some red onions into wedges and cut the scallions to the same length as the asparagus and--voila! I used a little bit of the Sonoma Cheese Factory's Ox Roast seasoning (http://www.sonomacheesefactory.com/gourmetfoods.html) and that was it. Very yummy!
Down another lb for a total of 47 lbs lost. Yippee!! I had my massage this morning, which was very nice then came home and got rid of a few more things that are too big. I may actually get my closet to a manageable size!
I had the leftover veggies from Wednesday night with my burgers tonight (it's a PV day)--and they were just as good tonight as they were then. I'm amazed at how good grilled veggies are! I have to say I was a bit skeptical but I got one of those mesh "frying pans" from Williams-Sonoma and I'm hooked! You don't even need any oil. I just chopped up some red peppers, cut some red onions into wedges and cut the scallions to the same length as the asparagus and--voila! I used a little bit of the Sonoma Cheese Factory's Ox Roast seasoning (http://www.sonomacheesefactory.com/gourmetfoods.html) and that was it. Very yummy!
Thursday 14 June 2012
14 June 2012
Another great day! Down another lb, for 46 lbs total. Had my usual cottage cheese (fat-free now) and oatbran pancake for brekkie, then left over chicken kebobs for lunch and satay beef--without the peanut sauce and pickled veggies :-( --and king prawn goong pao for dinner at the Thai Elephant. Very nice! Then we went to see "The Girl With The Iron Claws" at the Harrogate Theatre. It was really good, although we missed the very beginning because I messed up the times.
I also attended my first LM21 event today. [Yawn.] It wasn't as awful as it could have been since they rescheduled the room. The last time I had anything in the room they originally scheduled, I had a major asthma attack.
Massage in the morning, then maybe I'll check out Spofforth Castle as long as it's not raining...
I also attended my first LM21 event today. [Yawn.] It wasn't as awful as it could have been since they rescheduled the room. The last time I had anything in the room they originally scheduled, I had a major asthma attack.
Massage in the morning, then maybe I'll check out Spofforth Castle as long as it's not raining...
Wednesday 13 June 2012
13 June 2012
Woo Hoo! Off the plateau and down another lb, for a total of 45 lbs lost. It's a PV (protein and veggie) day, so I stopped by Weeton's while I was in town and picked up asparagus, green onions, red peppers and red onions, plus 3 different kinds of chicken skewers. Yummy dinner--and leftovers. My kind of cooking! I'll grill the chicken skewers, then chop the veggies and throw them in the mesh frying pan I have for the grill and let them cook that way. I think I need a larger grill, since I can only do about 3 chicken breasts at a time on the one I have.
I wanted to get my hair cut and colored but the next appointment I could get was a week Friday. I just hope I don't get disgusted and take the scissors to my bangs! When I got the last perm (in March, I think), I waited a couple of weeks and then got my hair highlighted. I like it enough that I'm getting it highlighted again. When I need another perm, I'll get it cut again and then do the color thing a couple of weeks later again. I'll probably get tired of fooling with it after a few cycles but for now, it's nice to have some color framing my face.
I have to go in for a meeting tomorrow, which messes me up on my massage (and my break--damn it!), but I was able to get an appointment for Friday morning so that's not so bad. Fingers crossed that it just stays cloudy while I'm grilling...
I wanted to get my hair cut and colored but the next appointment I could get was a week Friday. I just hope I don't get disgusted and take the scissors to my bangs! When I got the last perm (in March, I think), I waited a couple of weeks and then got my hair highlighted. I like it enough that I'm getting it highlighted again. When I need another perm, I'll get it cut again and then do the color thing a couple of weeks later again. I'll probably get tired of fooling with it after a few cycles but for now, it's nice to have some color framing my face.
I have to go in for a meeting tomorrow, which messes me up on my massage (and my break--damn it!), but I was able to get an appointment for Friday morning so that's not so bad. Fingers crossed that it just stays cloudy while I'm grilling...
Tuesday 12 June 2012
12 June 2012
A good day! I had my podiatry appointment today, so I have happy toes right now. Then I drove down to Mildenhall and Lakenheath to pick up some stuff (skirt steak, fat-free cottage cheese, better magazine selection, etc) that we don't have up here.
I also saw the Google camera car in Harrogate, too--which I thought was pretty cool. I'd heard that they drive around photographing every place but I'd never seen it. I also saw a car hauler (or whatever they're called) with 6 or 8 black London Cabs, all done up in green and white with the 2012 Olympics logo, which was also kind of cool. it was a nice day for a drive.
I'm still sitting on my weight plateau, which is one of the reasons I wanted to get the fat-free cottage cheese. I've been doing 2% fat cottage cheese so I'm hoping switching to fat-free shoves me off this plateau. And I got 2 new pair of jeans in a size smaller in the mail today so maybe I'll quit 'losing my jeans' as I walk around :-) Such a good feeling!
I also saw the Google camera car in Harrogate, too--which I thought was pretty cool. I'd heard that they drive around photographing every place but I'd never seen it. I also saw a car hauler (or whatever they're called) with 6 or 8 black London Cabs, all done up in green and white with the 2012 Olympics logo, which was also kind of cool. it was a nice day for a drive.
I'm still sitting on my weight plateau, which is one of the reasons I wanted to get the fat-free cottage cheese. I've been doing 2% fat cottage cheese so I'm hoping switching to fat-free shoves me off this plateau. And I got 2 new pair of jeans in a size smaller in the mail today so maybe I'll quit 'losing my jeans' as I walk around :-) Such a good feeling!
Monday 11 June 2012
11 June 2012
Another (mostly) good day. Spent most of it in class, where things are FINALLY starting to make sense! A few of the many random ideas floating around in my head are actually starting to connect. It's such a relief to not get into trouble (or be accused of not taking things seriously) because I ask a question.
First day of break tomorrow, when I have a podiatry appointment, among other things. Ah--happy feet!
First day of break tomorrow, when I have a podiatry appointment, among other things. Ah--happy feet!
Sunday 10 June 2012
10 June 2012
Well, the current pattern seems to be: lose 3 or 4 lbs, plateau for 5 days, lose 3 or 4 lbs, plateau for 5 days, etc. You get the picture. If this hold true, I think I have 1 more day of plateau. Sheesh!
But today was a better day at work! No annoying people and Steve was appropriatly empathetic towards my problems yesterday. I didn't feel the need to kick a single door. I would punch the various doors, but they're metal and I might (probably would!) hurt my fist; kicking is almost as good and my shoes protect my toes. Tomorrow I'll be in class all day, so that should be fairly stress-free.
But today was a better day at work! No annoying people and Steve was appropriatly empathetic towards my problems yesterday. I didn't feel the need to kick a single door. I would punch the various doors, but they're metal and I might (probably would!) hurt my fist; kicking is almost as good and my shoes protect my toes. Tomorrow I'll be in class all day, so that should be fairly stress-free.
Friday 8 June 2012
08 June 2012
Holding steady at 44 lbs. Today was a day shift, which is about all I can say about it. I used to think I was a patient person but I'm learning--painfully--that I'm not. One down and 3 to go... Someone remind me again why I wanted this job?
Thursday 7 June 2012
07 June 2012
If I didn't know better, I'd say it was 07 November vice 07 June! It's cold, rainy and overcast--definitely not summer-like! I was out for a little while, but now I'm back, curled up in bed with my books, Kindle and computer. I've gotten the WiFi working so I'm not tethered to the laptop in the snug, which is trying to die anyway.
I feel like such a traitor! I broke down a couple of weeks ago and got a Kindle Touch. The BX had them cheaper even than amazon.com and a few things had come out Kindle-only, so I took the plunge. So far, I like it--although I don't think it will completely replace a printed book, for me anyway. I bring this up because I stumbled across something by a guy named Mark Bittman called "Cooking Solves Everything" which is really interesting. It's an essay about why people should cook more and it's really interesting reading. I found the environmental impacts of not cooking to be pretty amazing!
Since I haven't mentioned it yet, you have probably assumed that I didn't lose any weight overnight--and you'd be right :-( I'm not discouraged, though; I've lost 44 lbs so far and I spent last evening going through my closets and getting rid of a bunch of stuff. About half was jeans that are too big; the other half was tops that are crop-tops--they're big enough around but too short and muffin tops are not a good look for anyone! I was also amazed at the number of pairs of (ugly) shorts I have! Those will go in the next cull; it's rarely warm enough for shorts here and besides, they're phenomonally ugly!
On the way home, I picked up some chicken at the butcher shop in Ripley, so here's hoping it's dry enough tomorrow to grill. I can bake the chicken if I have to but I much prefer it grilled.
I feel like such a traitor! I broke down a couple of weeks ago and got a Kindle Touch. The BX had them cheaper even than amazon.com and a few things had come out Kindle-only, so I took the plunge. So far, I like it--although I don't think it will completely replace a printed book, for me anyway. I bring this up because I stumbled across something by a guy named Mark Bittman called "Cooking Solves Everything" which is really interesting. It's an essay about why people should cook more and it's really interesting reading. I found the environmental impacts of not cooking to be pretty amazing!
Since I haven't mentioned it yet, you have probably assumed that I didn't lose any weight overnight--and you'd be right :-( I'm not discouraged, though; I've lost 44 lbs so far and I spent last evening going through my closets and getting rid of a bunch of stuff. About half was jeans that are too big; the other half was tops that are crop-tops--they're big enough around but too short and muffin tops are not a good look for anyone! I was also amazed at the number of pairs of (ugly) shorts I have! Those will go in the next cull; it's rarely warm enough for shorts here and besides, they're phenomonally ugly!
On the way home, I picked up some chicken at the butcher shop in Ripley, so here's hoping it's dry enough tomorrow to grill. I can bake the chicken if I have to but I much prefer it grilled.
Wednesday 6 June 2012
06 June 2012
Well, I took the plunge and am now on the new format. I have a ba-a-a-ad feeling about this! If it's too hard, I'll quit blogging--which kind of defeats the purpose. We'll see...
I'm down another lb, making the total loss 44 lbs. Yippee! It's a PP (pure protein) day and so far so good. I added some stuff to my Riverford Organic order for Friday and discovered that strawberries are now in season :-( No strawberries on this phase of the diet. Oh, well--I'm doing well and there will be other strawberries.
I'm taking up knitting; it's basically something to do with my hands besides eat :-) I'm currently working on a purple scarf. I'm going to a little shop on Commercial St in Harrogate and they had a window display with lots of knitted tea cozies, including one of a sheep that was very cool. I have the pattern for it and hope to knit a couple for prezzies. They also have have some outrageously cute red, white and blue jumpers which I may use as my next project.
I stopped and picked up a few chicken breasts at the butcher shop in Ripley, so I'll grill those tonight. Chicken--it's what's for dinner :-) I'll sit outside, since the sun has come out again, and read while I grill.
I'm down another lb, making the total loss 44 lbs. Yippee! It's a PP (pure protein) day and so far so good. I added some stuff to my Riverford Organic order for Friday and discovered that strawberries are now in season :-( No strawberries on this phase of the diet. Oh, well--I'm doing well and there will be other strawberries.
I'm taking up knitting; it's basically something to do with my hands besides eat :-) I'm currently working on a purple scarf. I'm going to a little shop on Commercial St in Harrogate and they had a window display with lots of knitted tea cozies, including one of a sheep that was very cool. I have the pattern for it and hope to knit a couple for prezzies. They also have have some outrageously cute red, white and blue jumpers which I may use as my next project.
I stopped and picked up a few chicken breasts at the butcher shop in Ripley, so I'll grill those tonight. Chicken--it's what's for dinner :-) I'll sit outside, since the sun has come out again, and read while I grill.
Tuesday 5 June 2012
05 June 2012
Another good day! Down another lb (43 lb total). It's still the Jubilee Bank Holiday, so things were a bit boring; I'm glad I still have 2 days off that aren't bank holidays. Got 3 boxes in the mail today and a little work done of sorting clothes that are too big.
It's a PV (protein and veggie) day so I'm having steamed broccoli with salsa and a chicken breast (that I grill on Friday). Pretty good stuff!
It's a PV (protein and veggie) day so I'm having steamed broccoli with salsa and a chicken breast (that I grill on Friday). Pretty good stuff!
Monday 4 June 2012
04 June 2012
Another good day! Down another lb for a total of 42 lbs or 3 stone as they say over here. Since I need to lose 125 lbs (just a lb short of 9 stone), I'm 1/3 of the way there. Woo Hoo!! Very motivated about the whole thing right now.
I guess one of these days real soon I need to switch over to the new view. I keep getting all these dire warnings about the new look coming and I'd hate to log in one afternoon and not be able to get to my blog.
Not too much to say for today. I worked an overtime but I still have 3 days off before I start back to work. Tomorrow is still a Bank Holiday so I think my stay-at-home project for tomorrow is to go thru my clothes and get rid of some of the big stuff. I'm hoping I can also get rid of a temporary wardrobe so I can put a book shelf on that wall and get some books off the floor.
I've lost enough weight that Saturday I was able to buy one of those silver Celtic rings they sell all over the place in Scotland--and have it fit (comfortably, I might add!) on my ring finger. Yippee! So much nicer to reward myself with something like that rather than a food reward!
I still need to do my brain exercises on Lumosity then it's a bit of reading and bedtime. Such an exciting life I lead...
I guess one of these days real soon I need to switch over to the new view. I keep getting all these dire warnings about the new look coming and I'd hate to log in one afternoon and not be able to get to my blog.
Not too much to say for today. I worked an overtime but I still have 3 days off before I start back to work. Tomorrow is still a Bank Holiday so I think my stay-at-home project for tomorrow is to go thru my clothes and get rid of some of the big stuff. I'm hoping I can also get rid of a temporary wardrobe so I can put a book shelf on that wall and get some books off the floor.
I've lost enough weight that Saturday I was able to buy one of those silver Celtic rings they sell all over the place in Scotland--and have it fit (comfortably, I might add!) on my ring finger. Yippee! So much nicer to reward myself with something like that rather than a food reward!
I still need to do my brain exercises on Lumosity then it's a bit of reading and bedtime. Such an exciting life I lead...
Sunday 3 June 2012
03 June 2012
After the crap week I had, it turns out yesterday was just what I needed! Yesterday had kind of a gray start here in North Yorkshire, but the weather report said sunshine in Dumfries and Galloway, so we set out for Sweetheart Abbey around 7:30. It's a 3-hour drive to the village of New Abbey and it was still pretty socked in and windy but it wasn't raining... Anyway, I had somehow managed to let my Historic Scotland membership lapse, so I rejoined. One of the cool things I discovered yesterday is that Historic Scotland is now doing stamps of their properties (or the staffed ones anyway) and you can get your membership book stamped as you visit the places. The Japanese do a similar thing and I collected stamps while I was there.
Sweetheart Abbey is undergoing a major renovation right now, so there's lots of scaffolding but I still got a couple of good shots. We didn't stay long because it was cold and windy, so we headed over to the New Abbey Corn Mill, another HS property very close by. Now "corn mill" is a rather confusing description, since they were grinding oats--not corn--there, but I vaguely remember that "corn" is a generic term for cereal grains over here. They have a short film and then you get a guided tour; the mill is still in operation some days and they sell the resulting porridge oats at the shop there. They had some benches set up and we had lunch there--and watched a heron catch his lunch, too.
From there, we moved on to Dundrennan Abbey, which is supposed to be where Mary Queen of Scots spent her last hours in Scotland before her exile to England. It's a beautiful ruin and is normally a staffed property but there was no one there for the shop so I couldn't get my book stamped or get a guidebook. From there, we were going to head back to Caerlaverock Castle but first we stopped off at a couple of places we saw sign-posted.
Orchardton Tower is the only round tower house in Scotland and it was pretty neat. The first door you see leads to a lovely barrel-vaulted storage cellar; when you go back outside and walk a few steps around the tower, you come to the steps leading up to the living quarters. The rest of the floors and the roof are gone but they have a nice artist's rendition of what it might have looked like. You can still see where the floors would have been. From there, we went to Drumcoltran Tower, which was actually a farmhouse and sits today in the middle of a working farm, which gives you some idea of what it would have been like--without the mechanization :-)
And then we were on our way to Caerlaverock Castle, a medieval Maxwell stronghold. They have a good film there on the sige of Caerlverock Castle by Edward I in about 1300. Tony Robinson does the film and everything I hear him, I always think 'Baldric' from the "Blackadder" series :-) But he does a good job with the seige. The castle only held out for a day and a half, which may not sound like much but Edward had 3000 troops and 60 defenders held them off, which I thought was pretty good.
By this time, it was 5:30 and things were closing up, so we started home. The TomTom routed us right past Ruthwell Church, so we stopped--and the guy was only just getting ready to lock-up so he let us see the cross, an amazing Anglo-Saxon cross from around 600! We saw 7 sights all together and we even managed to drive by the Devil's Porridge to see what is up with that (it's a WWI exhibit), even though it was closed for the day. By the time we were blasting across the A66, the weather had truly gone to pot but we had a great day!
And amazingly, I finally lost another lb! FINALLY!! Even though this is supposed to be a PV day, I think I'm going to stick with my original plan and have a little mini-attak phase just to give the diet a good kick. So I'm down 41 lbs total. Yippee!
Sweetheart Abbey is undergoing a major renovation right now, so there's lots of scaffolding but I still got a couple of good shots. We didn't stay long because it was cold and windy, so we headed over to the New Abbey Corn Mill, another HS property very close by. Now "corn mill" is a rather confusing description, since they were grinding oats--not corn--there, but I vaguely remember that "corn" is a generic term for cereal grains over here. They have a short film and then you get a guided tour; the mill is still in operation some days and they sell the resulting porridge oats at the shop there. They had some benches set up and we had lunch there--and watched a heron catch his lunch, too.
From there, we moved on to Dundrennan Abbey, which is supposed to be where Mary Queen of Scots spent her last hours in Scotland before her exile to England. It's a beautiful ruin and is normally a staffed property but there was no one there for the shop so I couldn't get my book stamped or get a guidebook. From there, we were going to head back to Caerlaverock Castle but first we stopped off at a couple of places we saw sign-posted.
Orchardton Tower is the only round tower house in Scotland and it was pretty neat. The first door you see leads to a lovely barrel-vaulted storage cellar; when you go back outside and walk a few steps around the tower, you come to the steps leading up to the living quarters. The rest of the floors and the roof are gone but they have a nice artist's rendition of what it might have looked like. You can still see where the floors would have been. From there, we went to Drumcoltran Tower, which was actually a farmhouse and sits today in the middle of a working farm, which gives you some idea of what it would have been like--without the mechanization :-)
And then we were on our way to Caerlaverock Castle, a medieval Maxwell stronghold. They have a good film there on the sige of Caerlverock Castle by Edward I in about 1300. Tony Robinson does the film and everything I hear him, I always think 'Baldric' from the "Blackadder" series :-) But he does a good job with the seige. The castle only held out for a day and a half, which may not sound like much but Edward had 3000 troops and 60 defenders held them off, which I thought was pretty good.
By this time, it was 5:30 and things were closing up, so we started home. The TomTom routed us right past Ruthwell Church, so we stopped--and the guy was only just getting ready to lock-up so he let us see the cross, an amazing Anglo-Saxon cross from around 600! We saw 7 sights all together and we even managed to drive by the Devil's Porridge to see what is up with that (it's a WWI exhibit), even though it was closed for the day. By the time we were blasting across the A66, the weather had truly gone to pot but we had a great day!
And amazingly, I finally lost another lb! FINALLY!! Even though this is supposed to be a PV day, I think I'm going to stick with my original plan and have a little mini-attak phase just to give the diet a good kick. So I'm down 41 lbs total. Yippee!
Friday 1 June 2012
01 June 2012
What an absolutely dreadful week! Work sucked, too much walking to that miserable class and I didn't even lose any weight--and my knee is just killing me from all the walking. Tomorrow, as long as it's not raining, we're off to Sweetheart Abbey and Caerlaverock Castle in southwestern Scotland, so that should be fun. I'm off 5 of the next 6 days, so hopefully my knee will get to feeling better.
I'm going to get my lunch for tomorrow knocked together, make my oat bran pancake for tomorrow morning and clean out the car and then I'm off to bed.
I'm going to get my lunch for tomorrow knocked together, make my oat bran pancake for tomorrow morning and clean out the car and then I'm off to bed.
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