@MusicCandy @SadMe70 A place to communicate

Hello there! I hope your week has gone well. I did some kind of exercise-related activity every weekday this week! My physical therapist that I see once a month just opened her own clinic (she was renting space at the Y) and started an evening version of a class I had been going to in the summer during the day. It is an hour of doing a technique called myofascial release, which is good for my many tight and sore spots. It doesn't burn much in the way of calories because you are still the whole time, but it feels good. I did finally swim a little also, though I did a lot of just kicking with no arms, and also stopped at the deep end for about 2 minutes on each of 4 laps to do various types of treading water, so I could get in more activity without using my shoulder so much.

My first round of bread is almost gone so I want to make more today, but I haven't yet found another recipe I like. I wanted to try one that is intended to be made by hand, so maybe I can get it right! Yesterday was the monthly birthday treats day at work, and the only thing I took was blueberries to put in my yogurt.

How are you doing with the wine? I am still not drinking it on weeknights, but I definitely have some on Friday and Saturday! I have given up alcohol for Lent for about 3 years now, and I plan to do that again. It's right around the corner. My only exception would be to toast my dad on March 16 when he died, and I feel like that is acceptable.

What do you add to your smoothies for fiber? I'm trying to be good about the fiber intake. Are you doing your morning lemon water?

I am glad you saved some of your poems and stories! I think you will be happy later that you have them to look through from time to time!

I found a local couple who are raising ducks for eggs, soap, and meat and bought some duck breasts from them. I like duck but had never cooked it before. I made a port wine sauce and roasted them, and served them on rice. It was pretty good! I am going to get more from them. Their little farm was very cool. Hundreds of ducks all over the place! I like buying my meat from a place like that where the animals have a good life.

I hope you are well, my friend!

It is nice to get on an upswing sometimes , right? It looks like your systems are working pretty well right now.

Good for you with the work treats - it is so hard to resist when the little cupcakes look so good. Speaking of treats, someone brought to work dark chocolate hummus! What up.*. Boars Head brand. It is beans like usual, but the chocolate makes it a dessert dip. I make get some too.I'm so happy for your getting exercise. My daughter was a massage therapist before she went back to college, and she learned myofascial release. Fiance also does some of it with his thumb on my lower back/ sacrum,

For my smooand I sometimes lie on a paint roller after a tough night with patients. It has a hard core with a fuzzy covering, and. I hold it there with my body weight until it practically brings tears, then release and it feels better afterwards.

For my smoothies, Along with the protein- I toss in chia and flax seeds, powdered greens which all have some fiber and add a spoonfull of powder fiber, like metamucil ( store brand). Along with frozen fruit which makes it like a shake- it tastes like a treat. Keeping that up thius week . I find I drink less coffee in the AM when I start with the warm lemon water with a dash of hot sauce-- THAT'LL WAKE YOU UP!

The wine restriction is going fine . It was just getting started- plus- a relief in the work scedule makes it easier . I just make my tea the moment I walk in instead of pouring a glass. I have had a bottle for this 3 weeks,instead of a bottle every other day Sleep is better.. I think your week-ends only plan works similar to my plan and I def agree that you should raise a glass on your Dad's birthday. I really miss my Dad too.

The duck farm sounds charming. One of my coworkers has some ducks on a family farm and she brought in some eggs once- they are bigger than chicken eggs and scrambled up good. Duck breast - gourmet restaruant entrees- aren't you cooking in style. I am curious about the soap- how do they use the ducks- fat from cooking? I also agree to eat farm raised meat when possible. I grew up that way so it isn't a new idea- just new to the young folks who were raised on cheerios and mc Donalds. Is the farm close to F'berg? I'd like to check it out too in the spring. That sounds like a fun trip to take Rachael to- she wold love wandering around a duck pond I think. We like to take side trips for a day in the countryside. I love the wineries, but now that I'm restricting- that would just make me want more. Cravings are better as long as I don't think about it too much. Going to get some esercise now and hoping for warm weather- crocuses are up!

I made bread that looks like bread, and taste good! Woo hoo! I have been having a slice with peanut butter for my breakfast, with a side of prunes.

Dark chocolate hummus! Wow! I might have to look for that.

If I did the MFR every day I am sure I would feel better. By the time I get home, get unpacked, and get things ready for the next day, I am hungry and/or it's late so I eat. Once I eat, I'm done.

I really like smoothies but I don't make them all that much. I like yogurt-based ones with flax, greens, sliced almonds, and some fruit. I have been doing my powdered fiber drink at night with dinner, and then a glass of tea. I bet the hot sauce in the lemon water does wake you up!

I talked to the duck lady about her soap and she showed me some. I think what she uses in the soap are duck eggs, but I could be remembering wrong. I know they were going to start rendering the fat to use for different things, so she might start using some in the soap. I have made soap with mutton tallow and that makes nice soap, so I'm sure the duck fat would be great too. The farm is about 40 min east of Fredbg. From Richmond, you would come up Rt 301 for about an hour - it's just a few miles east of 301 and maybe 10 miles south of the Potomac. The ducks are mostly inside big fenced off pens, so there is not really any walking around to do, but I thought it was really cool just to see hundreds of ducks at once so Rachael might like that. It's just a few acres in the woods, so not a big farm, but they've pretty much set up their whole property for duck raising. She did let me look inside the biggest coop so I could see how it was set up.

I am going to go get some bread and pb! Have a great day!

I was down your way on Saturday, for dinner to celebrate my son's 21st birthday. We met him and his gf, and my other son and his gf at a Thai place on Cary near 1st. It was a nice evening! I was not feeling great, and by yesterday I felt worse so I spent most of yesterday in bed. That is my plan for today as well. I think it is just a cold and I don't feel really awful, but tired, headache, stuffy, so I am hoping 2 days of rest will help it go away faster. I don't want to miss 2 days in a row of school if I can help it. No fever, aches, or chills so I don't think I have the flu. My exercising was good last week, but this cold is going to keep me from doing much for a few days.

I made more bread on Friday night, 2 loaves this time. I sort of fell asleep while it was in the oven (it couldn't have been those 2 glasses of wine, could it?) and it's browner and harder on top than I wanted, but luckily I woke up suddenly and rescued it while it was still edible. Lent starts this week and I'll be giving up alcohol, so my next batch of bread should have a better chance!

Good for you with resisting the wine craving! I still want wine during the week, but I've done really well with tea. I actually really enjoy the tea once I have it in front of me, and don't really miss the wine at that point. Getting past the initial craving is the hard part, as you know!

I do love crocus, tulips, and daffodils! They really make you feel like spring is on the way. I had some of each years ago, but my chickens kept eating the sprouts and they finally died off.

I hope the gloomy weather is over soon!

PS I have been doing lots of reading while I've been sick. I had started Wild, the book that the Reese Witherspoon movie from last year was based on. It's about a young woman who hiked about a thousand miles on the Pacific Crest Trail. I am going to Old Rag with my son on March 3 and I found her book very motivating! That is a tough hike for me but I love it. I finished Wild but I'm going to hang onto it until after my hike, for inspiration!

Sorry to hear that you have been feeling bad- even a "little" cold is annoying. I love Thai food too, really anything spicy. I still want to try out some Indian food that you recommended. I have a coupon book that has all kinds of restaurants, so that might be a good incentive for me to give it a try.

For Valentine's Day- Ash Wednesday we went to Service and then I fixed a brunch at my house for my Mom. I decorated the tables and it was pretty , and simple. She started a religious discussion with the Pastor in the middle of the line leaving the Nave ( I gently guided her to the side so the people in line could get their good-by and leave!) Then she continued her personal insights sharing- which no one ever thought of before with the Pastor. Pastor Liz was very kind and understanding and said "well, everyone can have their own opinion" . It isn't even her church, but she has to be the center of attention you know. Otherwise, the day was fine.

Today it was 70 outside so I planned a walk with fiance along the James River Park downtown. We walked about 5 miles and it was beautiful. With all the rain, the river was pretty hign but the trail was not flooded. For mew, these outings keep me sane with all the work stress. We sat on some rocks with the rushing water and had a sandwich. I know you are looking forward to your hike. The book sounds great. I didn't see the movie, but I heard it was terrific. I was so happy today just to see the sun out for awhile.

You go on with the bread baking! I'm glad you were able to save it. I have a habit of getting a bunch of different things going all at once preparing a meal, attending to Rachael, folding laundry and listening to NPR, and forgetting I put the bread in the over to toast. More than once- burnt. I am doing pretty well with the wine, but not good with the candy and cookies. I don't go cold turkey for Lent with wine, but I am doing a LOT better. I will take up some spiritual discipline, but it will probably be a daily devotiona/prayerl- something to "Add", rather than something to take away. I'll be working the rest of the week-end as usual, and will check back with you later.

Hello, I am feeling pretty good this weekend. I got out on Saturday for a 45 min walk at the park. I purposely went on the colder day so I could try out the new coat and hat I bought for my Old Rag hike. It was nice and I wanted to hike longer but didn't want to push myself or get stuck in the rain far from the trailhead.

I'm glad you had a good Valentine's/Ash Wednesday despite your mother! She is so much like my mother-in-law was! I gained 4 pounds this past week between birthday cake, lots of Valentine candy, and no exercise. Back to regular eating and exercise this week I hope! I did make a yummy lentil soup yesterday, and have a couple of healthy meals planned for the week. I did not swim last week, but am planning to go today because I have the day off.

Your walk at the James River Park sounds lovely! I love a little picnic by the water. The sound of rushing water is so wonderful and calming! I really liked my one walk on the Pipeline Trail with my son 2 years ago. We have yet to go walking anywhere else down there. I pretty much only get down there to drop him off, pick him up, or for a dinner with no time for anything else. I am hoping to get my mom down there to see him around Easter, and maybe we can all go for a walk then. I ordered the Wild movie from Netflix on DVD. I'll let you know how the movie compares to the book!

I did not make any new bread this weekend. We are still slogging our way through the less than perfect loaves from last week! It is ok if I cut the overdone top crust off. Good job keeping the wine in control! I totally understand about the goodies. Four kids and my mom all gave me candy for Valentine's Day. Did I throw any out? No, I ate every last piece of it, even the cheap ones that weren't even good.

I like your idea of adding something spiritual for Lent. I hope the rest of your week went well, and that work is not too hectic this weekend!

a new coat sounds wonderful. It is turnin warm tomorrow- I want to take another river walk. I am havin more of a hard time with the wine, it just seems like a nice idea! But I am stickin to tea and tryin to resist. I am on my netbook that doesnt work with all the letters. It was nice to read your note and i will be back soon. Tryin to curb my enthusiasmn for the candy/cookies. If only the scale would bude, but not yet. Too sad.

Another bad treat week for me! My husband stopped for carryout at Lou's Soul Food which is on 301 sort of near King's Dominion, on his way back from an appt in Richmond. I got a fried catfish dinner with mashed potatoes and cabbage. Not too bad, but then there was the cake. They get in three-layer cakes from a local bakery. My husband got us each a slice of different cakes, plus a third different one, and they are generous slices. We each had half of each slice. So I had half of 3 different three-layer cakes that night. That is cake 3 times in 2 weeks for me, sigh.

Last night I had a fun night out with a friend, something rare for me as I'm a homebody who mostly only goes out with my kids! I had seen the movie Mamma Mia with this friend, so we decided to go to the stage production which is playing in Fredericksburg now. We went for sushi before the show, and had planned on Dairy Queen after. DQ closed 10 minues before we got there, so we had McD hot fudge sundaes. That did not agree with my stomach, but was tasty and probably less calories than what I would have gotten at DQ! The show was good too. I have not been to a live show in several years.

I did manage to exercise this week - one yoga class, one weights day at the Y, two days with short cardio videos at home, and my MFR class (that one is not really exercise but is for my health so I lump it in there). The exercise is not keeping up with my treat intake so I still have all my pre-holiday pounds (which I usually dump by the end of January). Maybe I will be better in March. I am starting March with the Old Rag hike (next weekend! I am not ready!!) so maybe that will set the tone for me and I'll stay on the exercise wagon and off the cake wagon!

How are things going with you? Which things are still working well for you diet-wise? I know you are exercising because you are always good at sticking with that! I hope your week went well and your weekend is not too hectic!

Hey, I counted 5 days of exercise for you- well done! I am keeping up with my exercise too. I wish the eating plan was that simple. I won't say exercise is easy- but it is matter of fact and I don't have to think much about it. The eating plan is soo much to decide. I can't blame you for splurging on a seafood dinner- and the cake is well- it is what it is- as they say. I can;t seem to get the scale to budge even though I think I'm doing better than before Christmas. Wine is still pretty controlled, so that's one good thing. Unless my life gets out of control , I think I can keep that up without too much difficulty. Like you, I rely on fragrant warm tea,having a cup of green tea now.

I don't go out with friends much either- we are a lot alike that way. But I'm so glad you enjoyed the show. The music is terrific.

I got my labs back, and just as I expected, my LDL is still elevated and CRP ( a measure of inflamation) is too. Everything else is great. I have no cardiac plaque or carotid either- but I still wish I could get the bad stuff down to normal. Doc didn't recommend a statin yet, said it was up to me. I read everything on the subject and it seems like statins can cause more harm in blood sugar levels, and most of the time don't improve heart attack risk. I heard another show on the radio today about it ( the People's Pharmacy- do you ever listen? - it is great forcomplimentary medicine news) I'm going to look up that speaker/doc's book and see what he says.

I am trying to add some cholestrol lowering diet things like oatmeal,extra fiber,an apple and a salad every day. They don't call me a health nut for nothing! Mom is coming over tomorrow - a concert - Richmond Concert band near my house and then I'm fixing lunch. Mostly already done. I made butternut squash and crab claw soup with whole cream from the dairy. It was pretty easy with the packaged cut up squash, but not cheap. Still better than restaurant prices with all of us eating out. Week-end is going pretty well, so far. I hope you are enjoying the warm day- Maybe getting out to the pen for some sprucing up.