Mern

Thanks to all for your congrats for my live-in GD's induction into the National Honor Society. The ceremony tonight was great, with opening remarks by the the high school principal, and four honor society members speaking about the four criteria for membership: character, service, leadership, and scholarship. That was followed by an absolutely beautiful duet by a boy and girl about helping each other be honorable, supportive friends throughout life. But the photo ops were awful. The ceremony seemed more about the society itself than honoring the inductees. Only the current members were on stage and the inductees were seated in the two front rows of the audience. The only time we saw the inductees was at the very end when they filed into the right wing of the stage and walked single file across to the left side of the stage to receive their induction certificates. And then they immediately returned to their seats in the audience--that walk was only 10-15 seconds. But I did get a couple good pics of GD and her boyfriend (also a National Honor Society member) in the lobby afterwards. We went out for ice cream after the ceremony but I didn't have the presence of mind to take pics then.

And yeah, I couldn't resist and ate ice cream--a double scoop gooey hot fudge sundae over lucious vanilla ice cream, with whipped cream and a cherry. (Food porn for Amy. LOL) Then the cravings started and I had an uncontrolled carb binge at home--couldn't even begin to count the carbs and calories--I just went crazy eating anything I wanted. I will be back on the wagon first thing in the morning.

Mike, sorry your throat hurts, but OMG, I about fell off my chair laughing when I saw that pic about the tea and the pinky finger poking itself out.

Quinn, that must have been hard turning in DD's marching band uniform. Those bitter sweet moments will long be remembered. What instrument does she play? Is she hoping to play in the marching band in college, too? I think Anthony Bourdain is incredibly sexy, but Craig Ferguson does nothing for me at all, although I do enjoy his comedy.

OMG, is Mike trying to start a cat fight between Amy and Quinn. Typical little brother, isn't he? LOL

Mern

Sleep well, Mike. Yeah, I see that Tori is leaving you an open door with her comments, too.

I'm going to bed, too. Will catch y'all tomorrow.

ToriD1012

Health/Fitness
1--no more than 1300 calories a day....it worked last week, why not push it for another M-1149 Tu-1263 W-1169

2--1 Dt Dew a day.....last week was a good week Dew wise, hoping this one is great M-no Tu-no W-YES

3--log everything! really not that hard, I tend to log what I plan on eating for the day either the night before, or at least right after breakfast M-YES T-YES W-YES

4--at least 64 oz of water a day.....I'm almost at that now, so it shouldn't be super hard M-YES T-no W-YES

5--exercise 5 times....was almost there last week, but got lazy those last 2 day M-YES T-no W-YES

6--carbs no more than 40% daily.....a new goal for me, gonna see how it goes
M-39% T-43% W-34%

7--lose at least 2 lbs M-didn't weigh T-still haven't weighed W-YES, already! and not just 2 but 3!!! Let's hope it sticks


Life/Home
1--clean out car. long over due---still raining

2--clean cat's bathroom---kinda

3--finish all laundry---nope

4--actually start my "real" Christmas shopping....having only purchased 2 gifts this late in the season isn't acceptable---actually made it to the mall and got some gifts. I have a crap load more to buy, but at least I've finally started. AND got a really good deal at Bath & Body Works. Their full size lotions, body washes, bubble baths, and such were buy 3 get 3 free!!

5--run by PetSmart and only buy cat food and litter....she doesn't need any more toys!!---DONE

6--take Spring/Summer clothes out of the closet and replace with Winter, living out of Rubbermaid totes isn't what an adult should do....stupid moving from one house to another, still has me in a tizzy---it's probably going to be Sunday before I get to this

7--actually do all job related paperwork on time, no more holding over til the next Monday, all it does is get me further behind---tomorrow night after yoga...most likely

NIGHT ALL!!!

01gt4.6

Damn it! I woke myself up coughing. Damn damn damn!!!! Ahhhh I could scream... but can't ahhhhhhhh!!!!!

dar n

I have no working furnace and no heat yes the oil tank switch over went that well. I will read posts and catch up tomorrow I am going to put on my long underwear and flannel pajamas and go to sleep before I can’t because my chattering teeth keep me awake.
Goodnight all.
Goals:
Walk 25k: M=7.1k, T=6k, W=2.2k
Gym 2 days: 0,0,0,0
Exercise 5 days: M=Hike, T=Walk, W=Walked/moved furniture
Squats 5 days: M=Y, T=Y, W=Y
Ab work 5 days: M=Y , T=Y, W=Y
Calories less than 1400: M= 1275, T=1268, W=975
Calorie deficit of 5000 for week: M=-891, T=-876, W= -1027
Christmas prep or participation everyday: M=Appy’s made and frozen for boxing day party. T=7 hours of cookie baking 4 of 6 done. W=Walked through the festival of lights with mom, dad and daughter.

almeeker

Wednesday check-in:

1. Calories 1,600 or less. 1,435
2. Workout 7 hours. M-90 min, T-45min, W-75min (total 3:30)
3. Drink 100oz of water. N,N,N, need to get new tea pot.
4. Calorie deficit 3,500 for the week. -889
5. Protein at 25% or more. 25%
6. Carbs at 45% or less. 39%

Other stuff:

1. Write Christmas letter. N,N,N,
2. Schedule the last of the gingerbread events. N,N,N
3. Cleaning (average) 1 hour day + 1 load of laundry. NN, YY, YN
4. Finish baking and assembling gingerbread houses. Y,Y,Y
5. Finish Christmas shopping. N,N,N
6. Do not kill anyone. Y,Y,Y
7. Order patches! Y,N,N

I need to finish up here and get back into the kitchen. Ugh, I've done so much cooking that I now have to do laundry in order to rummage up some dish towels and wash clothes. Anyway good luck to everybody and Merry Christmas. I've caught up on my post reading, but don't have a lot of time to respond to everyone. Although I'm going to share my soft gingerbread recipe so maybe one of you can suffer with me LOL.

Heavenly Gingerbread Bundt Cake

Preheat oven to 325 F.

Sift together:
2 2/3 cup flour (recipe calls for cake flour, I've been using whole grain white)
1 Tbls ground ginger
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Cream together until fluffy:
2 sticks of softened unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar (or 1 scant cup white sugar and 1/4 cup black strap molasses)

Then add in:
4 eggs one at a time and blend until fluffy again

Then fold in:
1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger (optional)

Then add the dry ingredients alternating with:
1 1/4 cup milk (I've been using skim and it's fine)
1 Tbls vanilla extract (I think almond extract would be good too)
The directions say to start with the flour mixture and add it in 3 separate lifts, alternating with the milk & vanilla, and ending with the flour.

Then add batter to a greased and floured bundt pan, bake at 325 for 65-70 min. I've been baking much smaller cakes and they take about 30 minutes (large muffin size) and about 15 minutes for the gingerbread men (mini muffin size). You almost don't need to set the timer, because once the smell hits the air you'll be standing at the oven door watching it bake, salivating.

This is the icing recipe, I haven't tried it yet, but am planning to give it a whack next week. Oldest DD wants to make one to take to Christmas dinner at the in-laws, only she wants to use brown sugar and add in chopped pecans (she's soooo her mother's daughter that one).

1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbls fresh grated ginger
1/4 cup water
1 tsp ground ginger

In a small sauce pan heat the ingredients over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, remove from heat, let steep for 15 minutes and just before using, reheat and strain through a fine mesh sieve. Brush the warm cake with the warm glaze and stand back so you don't get hurt in the stampede.

Mern

After really screwing up badly with the ice cream and then the carb binge last night, I did jump right back on the wagon--so well that for breakfast I had only 1 1/2 cups turnip greens with diced turnips and 2 tablespoons roasted red pepper sauce for a total of for 90 calories and 3 1/2 net carbs. Instead of coffee with cream, I had a cup of black tea.

Mike, that sucks that you woke yourself up coughing. Good you can't scream in frustration because it would only serve to make your throat hurt more anyway. I know a cough suppressant isn't recommended during the day, but when I have a bad cold with a cough I do use a PM cough suppressant so I can sleep.

Tori, great to see your friendly, smiling face. I love your avatar. Congrats on your three lbs. lost and all your other goal accomplishments, especially on the one diet Mt. Dew!

Darlene, so sorry 'bout your furnace problems still not being resolved! My daughter is going through that with her electric furnace--they keep thinking it's fixed and it keeps going out. How cold did it get last night where you live? Great job on your goals!

Amy, I was surprised you had time to exercise and log your food with all the stuff you had to do. Great job! Thanks for that gingerbread recipe. I copied it to my hard drive. Mmmm, I LOVE crystalized ginger, too.

wildbeanerz

Health / Fitness Goals ...
1. 100oz water daily M: Yes, T: Yes, W: Yes (already),
2. Limit one diet soda daily M: Yes, T: Didn't even have one!, W: Yes,
3. Walk on lunch M: Yes, even though I stopped for a phone call halfway through I picked up where I left off when I got off the phone 20mins later, T: Raining, W: Raining,
4. Exercise 3 times W-F W: No,
5. Weight and post weight M: 272.8, T: 272.4, W: 273.6, Th: 274.4, Results this week: +1.6lbs so far

Life Goals ...
1. Create & Order girls' Christmas cards M: DONE!!
2. Fold & putaway laundry I washed this weekend M: No, T: No, W: No,
3. Finish cleaning fam room & laundry room M: No, T: No, W: No,

Figured I better post this now before going to read the posts and get caught up. I am so busy at work today I may not even get to read them all today.

Mern

April, OMG, you are a role model! If my math is right, adding your 1.6 lb. loss this week gives you 60 lbs. loss in 10 months. Great job all this week--you can't control the rain for your lunch walks.

RunbikeSki

A quick post 'cuz I really need to get to work. To everyone feeling under the weather, get your rest, drink lots of fluids, and don't stress the diet and fitness. Just your body telling you that you need a little break.

Tues & Wed check-in:

Diet & Fitness
1.) 80oz water (coffee, tea, propel, etc don't count) M=Y, T=Y. W=Y. Th=Y
2.) Carbs less than 30% M= way N (53% home made veggie pizza), T=N (Thai and Chinese), W=N (but only 800cals total for the day)
3.) Protein @ 90g M=N (55g), T=N (see above), W=N(see above)
4) 1 (or less) glass of beer or wine w/dinner M=Y (on the right track now), T=Y, W=Y
5.) 2 servings of fruit per day M=Y, T=Y, W=Y (about a pound of yummy grapes_
6.) No white foods M=N (same pizza 25& WW crust), T=N (white rice), W=Y
7.) 2 yoga, 2 X-fit, 1 run M=N rest day, T=Y (crossfit), W=Y (yoga)


Work & Home:
8.) Get work accounts straightened out M=Y good progress, T=Y (a little more progress)
9.) Finish trimming trees for rat exterminatorM=N(need to get the big ladder out)
10.) Send presents to east coast relatives, M=weekend task
11.) Chip tree branches (trimmed more trees… more branches) M=weekend task
12.) Wash patio windows M=N maybe tomorrow
13.) Start cutting back bougainvillea M=weekend task
14.) Continue cleaning out the garage rafters. M=Y
15.) Offer gratitude every morning. M=N kinda crabby this morning, T=Y, W=Y(got to go into the field)