Jackson (R.I.P.)

My BFF's cat, Jackson, was the largest grey tabby cat I've ever seen.  He was an outdoor cat, and just mozied on around the condominiums like he owned the place.  Nobody messed with him because he was just huge, quite plump too... when I'd get out of my car, he'd stroll up, flop over on his back and rub around my feet for loving.  Or, she and I would be standing outside talking, and he'd do Circle 8's around my ankles ... She and I had been really busy one day, and she was over at my condo - when there was a scraping sound at my door - we opened the door, and there he was, sitting pretty, telling her it was time for her to come home - so he could get some food, water and sleep time... He was over 14 yrs old, and a friend of her daughter's backed up out of her parking spot (yesterday), not knowing Jackson was under her car, and killed him....

My friend is devastated...

So, my Noomi and Habibi got some extra hugs and kisses last night - I would be so devastated if anything happened to them... of course, mine never step foot outside unless in their little pet carrier... but you just never know ... my fears are always that they will make a wild mad dash outside... the truth is, they really have no interest whatsoever except for the birds in the trees - and they seem content to stay in the climate controlled home and watch them through the windows... they live the life of luxury and seem to appreciate it very much so....

I'm Melting... Diet Log #46-47

Everyone was melting at the Birthday Brunch - it was outdoors, no fans, no real breeze, and over 90 degrees outside...the ice in my diet soda was melted by the time it got to the table... but, we had a fantastic time - and most of all, I loved hearing about how good I looked... Ego needs some boosting!  AND, the scale dropped 2 lbs... so I'm happy about that as well.

Omelet with feta and spinach was all I ate, and only half - shared with friend.  Dinner tonight - I am roasting yellow squash.  I am not really hungry for much - that sounded best, lite and easy... too hot outside to really want to eat anything heavy.

Visited my grandmother for a little bit and she couldn't stop going on about how good I looked too ...

So - even if the scale is moving slow - it's showing - and my pants are getting loose... feels good - I have more energy, I feel more confident... I'm happier... looking forward to losing more!

TGIF! - Diet Log #45

Last night I made:

Sausage/Pimento Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

I blended 4 turkey sausage patties with a tub of (no sugar added) pimento cheese and then stuffed the mixture into mushrooms, baked at 375 for 40 minutes... My friend who claimed she did not like pimento cheese thought they were fantastic.

Funny, when I told her what I was making, she immediately wrinkled her nose.  I said "Before passing judgment, just take a tiny bite".... and the rest is history.

Tonight I am making Spinach/Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms...

I am blending a French Garlic/Herb cheese with spinach, stuffing the mushrooms, and again, baking at 375 for 30-40 minutes.  Along with the mushrooms I am cooking up a turkey meatloaf and zucchini.

I am so glad it is Friday... I am ready for the weekend.  Sunday I have a birthday Brunch to go to - being held at a little cafe on the dunes of the beach...  So - tomorrow I have to run out and grab up a birthday gift and card... looking forward to getting out and seeing friendly faces!  Hoping that the weather is decent enough for it to not be "miserable" - being at the beach won't mean it will be great outside - or cooler - not at this time of the year - it will probably feel like a sauna... ughhhh...

In the Clouds - Diet Log #43-44

My sleep was interrupted all last night, either because my son was doing laundry after Midnight while I was wearing my supersonic ears (I need a louder fan in my bedroom), or the cats were playing at 2 a.m., 3 a.m., and 4 a.m.  So, I feel like I'm walking through a fog or clouds, I obviously used "Auto Pilot" to get to work...

Last night's dinner was Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts - nothing else.

Yesterday's lunch was delicious, I had chicken kabobs with grilled vegetables at my favorite Turkish restaurant.  My picky lunchmate even felt adventurous and was happy for it, as she's already recruited another person to go with us - AND - they've decided they also would like to try Indian... ahhhhh, after my own heart.  BUT, can I possibly go to an Indian restaurant and turn down rice and Naan??  Do I really have to turn down Naan, I believe it is made with Chick Pea Flour?  I will have to research this .... as my will power is only SO strong.

Well, time to finish my cup of coffee and get to work.... I'm in the "feast" part of the month, and if I don't stick to the job, I'll be working late - and I'd rather go home and wake my "BFF" up and drag her out somewhere like Home Goods or Sephora, etc. and see what kind of mischief we can get into....

Nommm Nommm - Spinach! Diet Log #42

Spinach is sooooo full of fiber that it is absolutely fabulous for Low Carbing.  There are not many vegetables that I don't like - I do make a good vegetarian, at times.  Though, every now and then, my body craves meat - and I mean a lean mean steak on the grill.  The best steak I ever had was at a restaurant called La Villette, in Brussells, that had this incredible garlic/mushroom/wine cream sauce with fries... ohhhhh my.... my mouth waters... how I wish, so wish, I lived in Belgium!!!!!!!  I can just see myself in a cute apartment in one of the smaller cities outside of Brussels or Antwerp, with a bicycle, riding the trains, and hanging out with friends in incredible little restaurants for hours, drinking wine, beer, eating well - and laughing... what a dream I have, too bad nobody in Belgium wants to hire a paralegal who only speaks English... pffft, I can say Hello and Goodbye and Thank You in MANY languages... I can even say a few things in Farsi... but, not enough to get a good job overseas.

Today's recipe that I am going to make and serve with a rotisserie chicken from the super market:

GREEK SPINACH RECIPE:  3 SERVINGS; 3 NET CARBS PER SERVING

1 T. Butter

1/4 small minced onion

1 pkg of frozen, chopped spinach, thawed

1/4 c. crumbled feta cheese

1/4 c. cottage cheese

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.  Add onion and let it sizzle for a minute; then add spinach and saute, stirring now and then, for 5 to 7 minutes.

Add in the cheeses and stir until they start to melt - for another minute. Then ready to serve.....

Little Baby Cabbages recipe....

This is the recipe for Fried Brussels Sprouts that I came across.... pretty much the same as what I do with them but in the microwave oven....

I toss them in olive oil, sea salt, fresh ground black pepper, and sprinkle with garlic powder - then cook them for about 15-17 minutes on high in the microwave oven - and then I sit and eat every single one of them....   I am going to try it on the stove like this recipe with fresh garlic.... yummmy.

Cafe au Lait...Mmmmm... Diet Log #38-41

This here Chick-a-Dee is drinking down a delicious cup of hot coffee and trying her best to keep the spirits up high!!!!!  I had this really weird dream going on, then the alarm went off, and it felt like I was being interrupted in a really good movie and then missing the big ending!

A Hair Stylist, I am NOT... and yet this weekend I pulled my friend's hair through a cap (that's how much of a NON-Stylist I am!) and highlighted her hair... it wasn't a total disaster... she's got blonde highlights!!!

My photo is definitely not pretty like the recipe one... but my zucchini was absolutely fantastic!  Sadly, I could not find some good sized ones that would be needed for this recipe.  The larger, the better for this recipe because you really don't have much to work with using small ones.... My son and I gobbled these down for dinner last night with a bit of chicken... I definitely mark this recipe as a Keeper!!!!!  I am making it again tonight!!!

Excited about my new purchase - got a new food processor.  My Cuisinart died after having lost parts through moving... so with all these new recipes I want to try - I can now have some real fun and save some time with the slicing, grating, etc.

The weather was crappy - lots of storms blew in - and if it wasn't stormy/rainy, it was too miserable to be out of the Air Conditioned indoors.... So - went to see The Heat - some great laughs.

I was terrified going to the movie theater - my one weakness, POPCORN!!!!  Movie Theater Popcorn!!!! So, as soon as I walked into the lobby, I just took off like a bat out of Hell to the theater - not looking, holding my breath, just whatever it took to get me into that theater, into a seat, and without a break down/melt down because I wanted a soda and popcorn.... My friend laughed - she knew why - so in the theater she was pointing out the weak and easy to mug (for their popcorn)... She and I had a blast - between the funny movie and our own jokes!

Another weekend of NO STRAYING from the path of Low Carbohydrates!!!!!

Friendly Support - Diet Log #37

What a blast I had at Happy Hour - and when the waiter put that fresh out of the oven, smothered in butter Sourdough bread, my friends immediately removed it from my path ... and everyone ordered low carb appetizers!  Chicken wings with no breading, Ahi Tuna that was my favorite, ... and I had a Martini... then drank 5 glasses of iced lemon water down.  Never once did I feel that I was denying myself anything, and went home in such a good mood!!  I am now sending out invites for next month's Happy Hour, and it will be at J. Alexander's - they have the most incredible grilled artichokes!  There were five of us last night, and next month I imagine we can bump that group number up to at least eight.

Recipe:  I am planning to try this one on the weekend -

Slice the zucchini in half. Slice off the bottom to keep in stable. Brush with olive oil and top with garlic or garlic powder. Top with sliced tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Use mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese or mixed blend.. Bake 375 for 20 to 30 minutes until soft.

Looks delicious!!!!  I bought some really good shaved parmesan that will be absolutely perfect with this recipe!!! I love squash of any kind... and there's one thing I truly love about Summer, and that is the produce.  The kiddo has actually requested Spaghetti Squash too.  I'm thinking a trip to the butcher for some spicy turkey italian sausage, to the farmer's market for the good produce, and we can have a Squashy Weekend!!!  Instead of spaghetti sauce, which is very difficult to find in low enough carbs to meet "my" approval, I'm going to just saute up garlic, onion, some chopped up fresh plum tomatoes, seasoning and olives... and kind of Putanesca Chunky Style ...

Lunch today is at an Italian place where I will have a chicken dish and their house salad... 

Shopping and Happy Hour.... Diet Log #36

Yesterday ended up being just a really "crappy" day - had a meeting with surgeon about my arm, for him to be more concerned that I'd end up with a scar I don't like rather than lets get this irritating/painful tumor out of my arm and move on.... so now, off to a new surgeon for another opinion.  Then I had the irritation of having some Hillbilly Idiot Employee here at the office I work in verbally accost me after eavesdropping on a private phone call with my boss.  Gosh darn it - Golly Jee Mabel, I know how to attract the uglies!!!!!!  Not worried - she'll either kill me in the parking lot or she'll eventually be fired.

I ended up shopping, then going to Outback and getting Alice Spring Chicken (NO honey mustard) and steamed vegetables.... It was so nice to buy things for myself that I love - L'Occitane and Lush (Gave Lush a second chance - they were up to standard!!! YAY!!!)

Tonight is Happy Hour with friends at Mitchell's Fish Market... I will have one cocktail that is not ladened with sugar and an order of Ahi Tuna....

I lost the 5 lbs I gained... still sitting at the 27 lb loss ... but I have a feeling we'll be seeing a drop any day - I've not strayed and refuse to - today a friend I went to lunch with said, wow, your face is getting thinner, can really see the good work... those are words of encouragement!!!!!!!  So who cares what the scale says at the moment, it's visually obvious I'm losing!!!!!

Diet Log #35 - Humidity

Living in the Sunshine State is not all that it is cracked up to be... unless you are running around at the beach or have a nice home with a big pool... and live to be in a bathing suit and sunshine.  Not me, I work, work, and work some more, and when I get home it's thunder/lightening and raining - the streets are steaming from the cold rain... enough that you feel as though you stepped into a sauna when you walk outside any door into the outdoor elements.  Disgusting - hair kinks up immediately, your skin sticks to your clothes, and you feel like you can't breathe...  I don't belong here!!!!  I belong in cooler climates, where Peonies grow!

I am on a new kick, turkey burgers.  I'm buying pre-cooked, grilled turkey burgers from the deli area at Fresh Market.  I cook up cauliflower for the side, and put a slice of cheese and some mustard on the patty - that's my new dinner.  Cauliflower is filling!!  Like it expands in your tummy - so I find it the perfect food.

I've lost 3 of the 5 "Overnight Gain" lbs. - I know it was just a swell - I may need to see about weighing once or twice a month rather than once a week.

I'm not very chipper - have appointment at Mayo again - with the surgeon.  Though it's not cancer, and the Radiologist said he did not see recommending it to be removed, it hurts, it's aggravated and swollen today, and the Surgeon wants to discuss options.  Hoping there's some non-invasive way!!  Doubt it - but who knows....

Monday Morning.... Diet Logs #31-34

Okay, I've done something wrong!!!!!  The scale was up 5 lbs this morning, am I happy?  HELL NO!!!!!!  I'm furious at myself and very disappointed - but this is where the problem lies....

I didn't eat pizza, donuts, cake, cookies, potato chips, and I didn't eat pasta, bread, rice, or potatoes.... I ATE freaking healthy!!!!!

I had turkey burgers with some incredible Irish Cheddar slices melted on them with avocado, side of cauliflower; I had chicken salad, hard boiled eggs, turkey bacon, a handful of olives, and string cheese for a snack... and YET - I GAINED FREAKING 5 lbs!!!!!

So What am I going to do?  Just push harder....

Shopping Fun - Diet Log #30

I lied - it wasn't fun - LUSH has finally opened in my area!  I was highly DISAPPOINTED. Just typical of this area, when they get some trendy new shop in - they hire these local twits who have no personality and no business being there - and then when enough people complain it will finally get settled and they'll get with the times... but I really really was so pissed at the idiot behind the counter that I just walked out without a bar or two of my favorite soaps.... I'll order online as I normally do... that way, twits from the sticks won't ruin a good shopping experience....

I'm down to 27 lbs.... I'd like it to be 30 but beggars can't be chosers.

Lunches and dinners out have been salads, grilled chicken, nothing spectacular at all.  I've been busy and not able to "cook".  Last night I had some homemade chicken salad and roasted Brussels Sprouts.... OH...

My Chicken Salad:

Chopped Celery
Chopped Scallions
Celery Seed
Curry Powder
Ground Black Pepper w/Sea Salt
3 chopped Chicken Breasts
1 c of mayonnaise

My carbohydrate addicted mind says, MMMM that chicken salad would be delicious with some good bread or crackers!!!!!!!!!!  But I ate it with Brussels Sprouts!!!!!!!  Is that determination or what????

Blahhhhs - Diet Log #28-29

I really believed that my weight loss would show on the scale... I'm down 26 lbs and holding.  My clothes are looser on me, people are commenting on my weight loss, and I've not strayed one bit, other than I have not had enough water.... so back to the 64 oz a day challenges... going to get myself back on track of flushing water through my system and see if that makes a big difference.

Not really much to say, feeling quite like a deflated balloon today.  Need to find a pick me up!!!!

It's Hot Outside... Diet Log #27 (#24, 25, and 26)

Four days off from work, has been wonderful.... I needed the relaxation and rest, though indoors because the heat just sucks everything right out of me.

Thursday I went to lunch with my good friend, and had a huge salad... Friday, did some shopping, relaxing... Saturday, I did NOTHING... and today, rode around and did some more errands, cleaned house, and resting again.... so sweet....

I have stayed on track, though have cooked nothing interesting - too hot to cook.  Tonight I'm going to try a recipe for Chicken Enchilada Casserole.

Back to work tomorrow... Life is dull and boring, and I'm liking it.

Here's the recipe I am trying out tonight - modified from a recipe that calls for beef...I'm using chicken.

Enchilada Bake - Low Carb Recipe

Crust:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon Seasoning for Tacos
8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
Beat or whisk the cream cheese and eggs until smooth. Add the seasoning; mix well. Stir in the cheese; mix well. Grease a 9 x 13" baking dish; spread the cheese mixture evenly over the bottom. Bake at 350º, 35 minutes or until browned, but not too dark. Let stand 5-10 minutes before adding the topping.

Topping:
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon Seasoning for Tacos
8 1/2 ounce jar enchilada sauce
4 ounce can chopped green chiles
8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded

Stew the chicken in a pot (I added garlic powder and salt to the water) till falls apart with fork; drain and shred/pull chicken with knife and fork. Stir in the seasoning, enchilada sauce and chiles. Spread over the crust. Top with the cheese. Bake another 20 minutes or so until hot and bubbly. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and some chopped up scallions (green onion) - if you use salsa - remember to add the carbs.

4 net carb dinner - makes 8 servings

Experimenting with Crustless Quiche Recipes - Diet Log #23

Diet Log #23 - Wednesday, July 2 (belated posting)

Tonight I made a combination of two recipes I had of crustless quiche and broccoli puff, sans the starches and carbs... Basically, it was to die for!  My friend came over to watch tv and eat dinner and she said "If you ever decide to quit your job at the office, you could easily find a wealthy heavy person to cook for and make a killing"... 

I love to cook - it's a shame you wouldn't know by going into my kitchen - I have crappy knives, a few utensils, etc. - but I've always made do, and cooked up a storm ... 

After I cooked this dinner up and ate, said goodnight to friend, and forgot to get a picture!!!  I'll have to try and get one of the leftovers... 

1 bag of broccoli florets - cooked/drained/chopped up
1 bag of spinach - thawed/drained well
1 c of sliced cooked mushrooms/drained well
1 T of crushed garlic
1/2 cup of crushed up bacon
8 oz. shredded Gouda cheese
8 oz shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup of Heavy Cream
6 eggs
10 oz. whipped cream cheese
Ground Black Pepper for taste
Dash of Nutmeg

Preheat Oven at 375 degrees
Greased pan put the broccoli, bacon in first 
Whip up a custard of the eggs and cream - adding the pepper and nutmeg - set aside
In separate bowl mix the mushrooms, garlic and spinach in the cream cheese till blended well and then spread over the broccoli and bacon
Spread the Gouda Cheese over the veggies evenly
Pour the custard over the top of the cheese evenly
Top with Cheddar Cheese
Bake - checking it at 45 minutes and cook longer till middle is set
If browning too much - cover with tinfoil

Happy Monday – Diet Log #21 and 22

Just a Proud Mama Moment:  My son made the Dean's List!!!!!

Happy Monday – Diet Log #21 and 22

I’ve met the 3 Week Detox Challenge, and now onto finishing The 90 Day Challenge of Low Carbing… It is not a bed of roses, but instead a bed of prickly pears.  I’m not going to lie – it’s NOT easy, but it is DOABLE if you want to lose weight and have had no luck counting calories.  I see people go on Weight Watchers and count intake and calories – but they have sugar and they lose weight.  My friends who have, they are overeaters – they eat more than I ever do… so lessening the amount they eat, exercise and healthier choices for them works.  Not for me, I need exercise and NO CARBS. 

These first 3 weeks, I’ve found my sleeping pattern being erratic, bloating if I didn’t drink enough water, irritable and irrational behavior regarding food, small irritants blowing up in my head as giant mountains of Wrong Doings, paranoia, depression… Sounds like someone who has a serious mental condition!  Instead, it was just coming off my one and only drug of choice, Carbohydrates. 

22 pounds lost in 67 days… of course, I did not start the Low Carbing until 22 days ago.  But, I’ve lost an average of .3 lbs a day.  That is almost 2.5 lbs a week, which looks like 10 sticks of butter.

When I am sad, stressed out, or just being miserable for whatever reason, I turn to a huge bowl of Pasta!  Hot bread and butter – Oh My!  Popcorn – yummy…. Crackers and Cheese… and a Bagel with Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon… divine…. No more… I can get a sweet tooth but it is rare and controllable.  I’m a salty starchy kind of addict.

Last Night’s dinner was an incredible hit!!!!

Chicken Roll Ups Florentine

8 oz. container of Philadelphia Whipped Cream Cheese

1 egg

¼ c of Heavy Cream

8 oz. Shredded Pepper Jack

10 oz bag of thawed frozen chopped spinach (pressed/drained as much water as possible off the spinach)

¼ c of Parmesan cheese

4 crushed garlic cloves

Ground Pepper and Sea Salt for taste

4 chicken (skinless/boneless) breasts

Blend (well) all the above ingredients in a big mixing bowl and set aside.

Pound the chicken breasts till ¼ inch thick where you can roll them easily.

Season up your chicken breasts with whatever seasonings you prefer:  I used Italian Blend.

Spread generous amounts of your spinach filling on the chicken, roll the breasts up, and pin shut with toothpicks, seams down on greased baking pan

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, and depending on the thickness of the chicken (testing to see if done – clear juices, etc, use thermometer if you have one), I cooked mine for 45 minutes because the chicken breasts were huge!! 

Absolutely divine…..