Delta Force Weekly - Nov. 1- 7

[pooder]

A very sunny, cool morning here. Hope everyone has a great op day. I plan on running around today. I don't mean actual running. Will stop in and see Mary also.

Denise... How fast on the treadmill do you have to go to be running. I know I can't do that, but just wanted to know. I drink caffeniated coffee every morning. I am like you and get an awful headache without it.

Trudie... Hello to you and we don't always have to something exciting going on. Working probably keeps you exicided enough.

Deedee... We put a new roof on about five years ago. Hail got ours too. Poor frightened dog. Good for you for staying OP.

Kimberly... I know you are busy today and will have something exciting to tell us. Have a good one.

Laurie... hello to you too.

STaying focused and positive,
Clara

[mudpies]

Clara, I go 5.0 on the treadmill to make 1 mile in 12 min. Did it again today - but it seemed harder today then yesterday!

[Journey2Me]

I thought the weight-loss fairy had visited me this morning. I stepped on my scale and it showed a 15 pound loss. Still having all my limbs attached, I looked for another reason for the high number and discovered that my husband had "adjusted" the scale. I hate to tell him the truth about the scale because he must be thinking that he has lost bunches! So, now I have no idea about my weight this week other than that my jeans are fitting a bit looser. We'll see at WI.

Staying OP....still have some sanity left even though the roofers are pounding away.

Clara, thanks for the sympathy for my quivering dog. She's a bit better today as long as we stay near her. I hope you get your errands done.

Denise, wow! You did great running the mile. I can't run now because of hip & knee. I think I'll try the coffee tip. As buzzed as I get on one cup of real coffee, I should at least exercise faster.

Hi to all who follow!

P.S. Today, I turned a dyslexic 16, as my DH is saying. :-)

[pooder]

Hi Deedee... I do think you mean today is your birthday. Today is also my brothers birthday. He is 64. Happy birthday to you. Love the story of the scale. I can imagine your shock on that amount of weight loss.

Clara

[Journey2Me]

Clara, you understood correctly. 61 today. Thank you! And, happy birthday to your brother!

[KimberleyW]

Good Evening!

I'm coming close to having a nervous breakdown. It's been one of those days. DH & I are off tomorrow morning to drive to Madison, WI. DH's mentor and father-figure has end stage cancer. He has refused visits from even his immediate family and lifelong friends as he's only conscious for a few minutes at a time. But DH is the *one* person he wants to see before he dies (his wife & children are with him). It's a very emotional time. We've been preparing to go see him and the time is now. I have been cooking for the past two days in anticipation. I did most of the stuff yesterday and the rest this afternoon. I need to leave my parents with food for the children for the weekend since it's unfair for me to put it on my mom to make wheat-free & dairy-free food for them. I've got Lucas & Claire set up with their vegan & dairy-free oatmeal for breakfast, lots of spelt bread for their lunches, and I have two soups and a chile for dinner. My parents can add meat to anything. I'm fine with the kids eating meat at their house-- just need to make sure they don't eat anything they're allergic to. Similarly, I've had to do lots of cooking for us to take on the road. I've got vegan banana polenta loaf, date/almond bars, spelt bread and a few other staples to help get us through in a pinch. I assume there will be some gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan options on the road and in Madison. I'm not going to be a stickler for vegan but I *have* to stay gluten and lactose free. I don't want to eat any meat but getting veggie options most places is fairly commonplace.

So, my buddy was over today to help me get ready. As things were baking, we went on a 12 mile run since we missed our long run yesterday with all the cooking. As soon as we got everything done, I had to rush to the school for the Holiday Bazaar. I got everything up and running, then took the boys to swimming and back to monitor for the next couple of hours. I got all the Pampered Chef and Tupperware I'd set out to get when I brought this up to School Council in September. I don't know where I'm going to put everything but I'll deal with it when it arrives!

I'm now off to get everything and everyone packed up for the morning. Laundry is being done. Dishes are in the dishwasher. I'd like to get as much as possible packed into the car tonight so we have less to worry about tomorrow. I may head out for an early morning run with my buddy to talk things out. Because I also found out this afternoon that she has a lump in her breast that is enough of a concern that her (cancer) surgeon DH has called in personal favours to get in first thing Monday morning (I am taking her to the hospital for the biopsy-- she doesn't want to tell her mom because she's a breast cancer survivor and would freak out). I'm very concerned about her but have to compartmentalize tonight. I want to see her again tomorrow before we leave to talk some more. She dropped it on me as I was heading to the school for the bazaar!

I should be able to get online this weekend while DH is spending time with his friend. They need this time together so I am not going with him. We're booked into a nice hotel downtown, within walking distance of where he's in hospice. It's our wedding anniversary on Sunday so between the stress of the situation and everything else, we splurged a bit. I guess I'll be the only one enjoying it as DH will be gone a good chunk of the time. It's 650 miles away, so we're in for a huge day driving tomorrow!!

Deedee-- Happy Birthday!!!

Clara- Nothing exciting. Just draining!

Denise- I have a sport drink that has yerba mate in it. It is a stimulant that doesn't have caffeine or anything addictive. I get it from Vega.

[Little Chubber]

Hi Buddies,
I didn't get home until 5:30 and all the family was here for supper. Dgd is spending the night. I took tomorrow off of work and will have a day with DD and DGD. I am just hoping to sleep in a little.

Denise~Wow, good job on the running!

DeeDee~Happy Birthday. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Kimberley~I am wishing you safe travel to Madison. It's a very difficult time, but how wonderful to be able to say good bye. Hugs and prayers for you all.

Clara~I hope you had a good day running around.

Good night all.

[KimberleyW]

Good Morning!

Just getting ready to load the final things and people into the car. We'll drop the kids and the dog off at my parents' and hit the road. It's over 600 miles to Madison so it will be a lot of time in the car. Unfortunately, I get motion sickness if I do anything so no chance to read or the like.

I didn't sleep very well last night. Hopefully it won't be too late when we get in and I'll sleep better tonight!

Have a great OP day everybuddy!

Trudie- I hope you and the girls enjoy your day off together!

Deedee- How was the birthday?

[mudpies]

DeeDee, I didn't check in last night - and missed wishing you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you had a wonderful day!

Kimberley, have a safe trip.. sorry about your DH's mentor.

Trudie, hope you were able to sleep in! Cooper got me out of bed at 5:00 AM!

I'm off to do my treadmill, clean and do a little more Christmas shopping! I have just 4 weeks before surgery - and I need to make sure all is done before hand!

Have a great day!

[pooder]

Hi everyone! I just returned from getting my hair trimmed. Stopped and saw a Dr. that I haven't seen in a few years. We became friends thru work, but she lives a distance. We e-mail etc, but she is working for a few months in the clinic in our town. Stopped in to say hi. Was so good to see her. Nothing done here at home yet today. I do have the rest of the day.

Deedee.... Hope you enjoyed your day yesterday.

Trudie... a day off and spending it with DD and DGD. Nothing better. Enjoy!

Denise... I use to have all my christmas shopping done by Thanksgiving. Not anymore. I try and get the little ones done by then, but I know if I for some reason don't get the older ones done they can adjust. So far I have always gotten it done. My children I just give money. The older dgc get two items under my tree and then money to spend after the Holidays. Hope you are successful getting done.

Kimberly... not a fun way to spend your Anniversary, but it is necessary. Be safe on your journey. Hope dh can spend a little time with his mentor.

Hello to Laurie.

Staying focused and positive,
Clara

[Little Chubber]

Hi Buddies,

WI was good, 127.1. This past week, I was generally having 5-7 WPA a day with following SiFi, just experimenting a little. If the scale creeps up, I will adjust.

Well, I didn't get my day off today. My pager went off twice last night. I did shut my alarm off and said they will figure it out. I woke up twice in the night, and said they need more help. I was up at 0600, and instead of them calling me in a panic at 0630, I just went in. I can work in outpatient and recovery room, but the nurse that was covering for me strictly works in the O.R. My DD knew I would have to go in if we added many cases, but I sure felt bad going in. I sent my boss a text message so she knew I would be there. I didn't want to suprise her like I did last Friday. I did get out at 1:30 though and had a couple hours with DD and DGD.

Denise~So you are having surgery. The same procedure they were planning when you got back from your cruise?

Clara~I need a hair cut bad. I wear a surgical scrub hat 5 days a week, but boy come the w/e, I really see how bad it needs cutting. I also need a coloring. I am on call this w/e so I won't be getting my hair done in the next couple of days.

Kimberley~That is a lot of time in a vehicle. Take care of yourself.

DeeDee~How are you buddy? I hope you projects are moving along.

Have a great night buddies.

[Journey2Me]

Except for my one slip this week, I've been OP. So....here's hoping for a decent WI. Today, I went to the gym & did long walks with the dogs.

Thanks for the birthday wishes. It was a good day with telephone calls from family & friends. The roofers didn't finish until after dark, so we decided to give up any idea of going out to dinner. Another day.....

Kimberley, be safe & have a good trip. I know it sounds strange under the circumstances to say "good" but it is wonderful that your DH has a chance to say good-bye to a man who means so much to him. He will always be happy that he did. Oh, for my birthday, I made the pumpkin polenta cake for my cake. Pretty yummy! Unfortunately, I told my husband the name of it and he has yet to try it.

Trudie, I hope you get some time off! You have to be getting tired with the long hours you put in. Congratulations on a great WI! You rock!

Clara, how nice that you got to visit with an old friend. I hope you like your haircut.

Denise, I didn't realize that you were still having the surgery. It will feel great to have all the Christmas shopping finished before it. Can you believe that Christmas is so near at hand???

Take care!

[Little Chubber]

DeeDee~Good job on your week. I hope you have a good WI.

Yes, I am getting tired. I really will be off next Friday. I leave town after work Thursday for a meeting on fires in the O.R. My Director, the outpatient charge nurse and I are going. We are going to a day spa on Friday. I will be having my first ever massage and pedicure. I can't wait.

[pooder]

Good morning. I have much to do today as we have our euchre party at our house this evening. I love it. We have so much fun. However, I will really have to be on guard. Everyone brings something that they love to eat. It is a food fest. I am having shrimp cocktails, a veg. tray and then I am making things I cannot eat, but do not love anyway. It's what everyone else brings that I must control. It is only one night and I think I can be strong.

Deedee... if hubby won't try the cake and it is good, just freeze it and have a piece when you want it. More for you. Glad your roof is done.

Trudie... what a bummer on having to work when you wanted to spend the time with your family. Such is the life of a surgical nurse. Thank you for what you do. You will enjoy next weekend all the more.

Hello to all who follow.

Clara

[Little Chubber]

Good Morning Clara and all to follow.

My plan is for an OP day. Just finished my steel cuts oats and blueberries and I am having my coffee.

I didn't get called in, in the night, yay. I don't plan much when I am on call as I could get called away at any moment. I am sure I will be getting housework and some laundry done.

Clara~What a fun day for you. Having things there that you can eat will help you get through this evening. Yes, you will have to be on guard. You are strong, you can do it. Remember you have WPA, use them wisely.

Have a great day DF buddies.

[Journey2Me]

At WI today, I was down 1.4 lbs.

I may also be down one car. I have a little sports car & have been thinking about selling it. I mentioned it to a man who does some work for us & he is very interested in buying it. Mixed emotions about selling, but with my bad hip & what all is happening with DH, it is probably the right thing to do.

I have set my weight goal for this week & will work quite hard to achieve it. I have my goal set for the rest of 2009, also. It's doable, but definitely a challenge.

Clara, good idea on freezing the cake. I hope you have a great time with cards tonight. Your shrimp cocktail and veg tray sound delish.

Trudie, I'm happy you were able to get rest last night and hope you get more today after your housey chores. Oats & blueberries....yum! A massage and pedicure? You deserve that treat! Enjoy!!!

Hi to all who follow!

[Little Chubber]

DeeDee~Congrats on that great loss! Good job setting goals for the rest of 2009. We will help you get there!

[pooder]

Yes indeed. Congrats on the loss. You are doing an awesome job. Setting goals are important as long as we don't set them to high. Maybe better sleep on the idea of selling the car. I'm sure you are doing that.

Later,
Clara

[KimberleyW]

Good Afternoon!

The drive into Madison went well yesterday. We got stuck forever in Chicago but that's to be anticipated. DH & I had lots of chances to talk about his friend and how he's feeling about things.

Claire also had lots of time to email me on the blackberry constantly. I worry about when she takes off with talking on the phone to her friends. But I guess they don't do that anymore these days-- it's all about email/texting/messaging! Turns out that she needs to get glasses (mom took them to the optometrist yesterday morning-- there was no school). MANY emails about not wanting or needing glasses. I had her go check it out. And then MANY emails about how she needed me to buy at least one more pair because she found two she thought looked nice. I told her that's what allowance is for! LOL

We've got a great hotel here right beside the State Capitol building. It's very mini-DC!! Madison is GORGEOUS and I'm just sorry I wasn't able to hit the ground walking everywhere today. DH is off with his sick friend all day but I've been here in the hotel room. It's a catch 22 with me as I always get sick in hotels from the ventilation systems. But I didn't have the energy to do anything more than walk around the block outside. So, I'll spend whatever time we have here in bed or sleeping. And then we'll get in the car and drive back home tomorrow. I'll feel better in a day or two!

Very easy to stay veggie and OP, especially since I packed up the car. There was NOTHING I could eat on the road. I went looking each time we filled up gas and was happy I over-packed or I'd have been screwed yesterday. At the hotel, hors d'oeuvres are free each afternoon so I loaded up on veggies. Breakfast is free each morning so I loaded up on fruit. We brought our own wheat-free bread. I didn't feel up to going out for lunch today so I bought some kettle corn at the capitol square market when I was out walking a block this morning.

I may not get to check back in tomorrow. I'll be back here Monday at the latest!!

Deedee- CONGRATS on the loss!! My favourite is to amend that recipe with bananas instead of pumpkin, add in some carob powder and make a chocolate banana bread!! I prefer flax eggs to chia eggs.

Clara- I *love* to play Euchre! We did it in high school and university all the time! DH & I make a good team but you can't find euchre games anywhere outside the retirement communities. I'm trying to get him to crash one with me!!

Trudie- Sorry about getting called in yesterday! Sounds like a good weekend planned next week! I don't have much use for manicures as I botch up the nail polish within hours. Never fails. But my pedicures last until my toes have grown long enough to clip all the paint off!!

Denise- I haven't really started Christmas shopping yet. I did get some things at the Holiday Bazaar and passed them to my mom to give me for Christmas. DH & I won't give anything to each other. I'll have to figure out my family at some point. Always stressful since they buy for me, DH & our 3 children but we only have to buy for them. Do I have to spend as much on them individually as they spend on all of us? I never know what to do!!

[Journey2Me]

Trudie, thanks for the support! It really helps!

Clara, thanks to you, also. I have been sleeping on whether or not to sell the car. Actually, what it does is free up one bay of our garage for a project car for DH. He wants to restore an oldie and it would be good for him to do that. I can always get another car if I want.
(However, I will miss dashing around in my convertible sports car with my long, white hair blowing in the wind and seeing the expressions on all the people who wonder why in the world this old lady would be driving that car!)

Kimberley, I laughed with your story about Claire. "I don't want glasses." "OK, now I want TWO pairs!" cute! I'm sure she will be quite fashionable! Good job in sticking with only the foods that are ok for you to eat....even though they are so hard for you to find.

[Journey2Me]

Denise or Trudie, can you direct me to the recipe for Lentil Chili? I would like to make a pot of it and can't find the recipe. Thanks!

[Little Chubber]

Originally Posted by Journey2Me

Denise or Trudie, can you direct me to the recipe for Lentil Chili? I would like to make a pot of it and can't find the recipe. Thanks!

DeeDee~ I don't know if this is what you are looking for. I made this recipe once and it was good, but I LOVE the One Point Chili and I posted that one too.

Vegetarian Chili
Serving size: 6
Categories: Vegetarian

6 C. water
1 1/2 C. dried lentils (9 oz., rinsed and sorted)
1 C. onion, chopped
1 can corn (approximately 16 oz.), rinsed and drained [I used frozen]
2 cans stewed tomatoes (approx. 16 oz. each)
1 6-oz. can tomato paste
1 packet taco seasoning mix (1 1/4 oz.)
Hot sauce, to taste
Crushed red pepper, to taste (optional)

Toss everything into a large pot or Dutch oven. Bring chili to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover, and let cook for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent burning. Depending on consistency, add more water as necessary. (Note: I didn't need to add water.)

Original recipe calls for 2 packets of taco seasoning mix; I use only one and find it to be quite spicy.

1 2/3rd cups per serving for Flex. 2.5 points per serving
2 C. = 3 points (probably).



One Point Chili
From: Weight Watchers Magazine Jan/Feb 2002

Makes 20 servings (1 cup serving)
1 point each

10 ounces extra-lean ground turkey breast
1 medium onion, diced
2 (28-oz) cans diced tomatoes
2 medium zucchini, diced
2 medium yellow squash, diced
1 (15-oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 (15-oz) cans fat-free, reduced-sodium beef broth
4 celery stalks, diced
2 green bell peppers, diced
1 (1-1/4 oz) package dry chili seasoning

1. Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over med-high heat. Add the turkey and onion and sauté until browned, about 5 minutes.
2. Transfer the browned turkey and onion mixture to a large soup pot and add the tomatoes, zucchini, squash, beans, broth, celery, bell peppers, and chili seasoning. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.

[Journey2Me]

Thanks so much, Trudie! They both look delicious! When the weather cools some, I'll try them both.

[mudpies]

Hi Ladies, I've been busy - and MIA! I have a couple minutes here and then I must get my exercise done and then we're off to church. Yesterday I had a baby shower to go too, and did fine until I had a piece of cake. It wasn't even that good and I ate it. Still, I was OP because I had my WPA left.

DeeDee, that chili is great! I hate cooking so much, and said I wouldn't do it again.. but I think I will get the stuff and make another pot!

Trudie, what was the kind of scale you have - I can't remember! I just picked a new one up at Target, and I really like it! Yes, same surgery planned, after 2 more very expensive tests.. it's a go.

Clara, I love playing cards, including euchre! How did the party go?

Kimberley, have a safe trip driving home! S

Gotta get my workout in!

[Little Chubber]

Morning Delta Force,
I am kicking back having my coffee. My plan is for an OP day. Still lovin' Core/SiFi. I bought the fixin's yesterday for yet another pot of that 1 point chili.

Denise~Don't you hate it when you allow yourself to use up WPA on something that really isn't that good. If I think I really want something, a special treat, I ask myself, is it a "10"? If I am going to burn up my WPA on a treat, I want it to be worth it. The good news is, you are still OP.

I had the Conair WW44 scale and I replaced it with this one, the Conair WW34 model. I don't need a WW scale, but when I found it to be so close to the scale at my WW weigh in and the Dr. office I knew I'd stay with that brand. My new one weighed me exactly the same, to the tenth of a pound, as my old one.

Kimberley~Have safe travel.

Hello to all that follow, may the Force be with you!