What's In the Box?

Nope, it's not what you think.

I went shopping for my twice a year haul from my local restaurant supply store.  

Sometimes they're called Fart n' Smile "Smart & Final" or "Cash N' Carry."  There are so many wonderful things in these stores.  Of course there's a lot of low quality / high quantity foods meant for restaurants.  But there's some weight loss surgery (WLS) friendly treasures in there if you look close enough.

Aaahhhh...the syrups aisle! 

With the explosion of all those yummy coffee drinks, there are so many different flavors of sugar free syrups now that weren't even available two years ago.  I use these syrups in my coffee, hot cocoa, yogurt and cooking.

By the way, the regular syrups are 90 calories per pump (ounce).  If you've ever seen them make those fancy coffees at Starbucks, you'll see them pump 4-5 pumps into ONE drink.  That's 360-450 calories before they add the cream/whip/etc. Yikes.

I love the Torani brand since it is made with Splend@.  It's my favorite formaldehyde-filled cancer-causing sweetener.  Yum. 

Here's what I took home at $4.19/bottle (no sales tax in Oregon!) This will last me until early fall. 

Some new flavors that I have added into the rotation?  Salted Caramel, Strawberry, and Almond Roca

From L to R: Gingerbread, Pumpkin Pie, Salted Caramel, French Vanilla, Peppermint,
Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Almond Roca, Strawberry, Peanut Butter, and Chocolate.

The Salted Caramel flavor was the first new flavor that I tried.  I mixed it into a chocolate protein shake.  After tasting the shake, I grabbed the syrup bottle to double check that I hadn't accidentally bought the regular sugared kind.  Nope.  IT IS THAT DELICIOUS.  Wow.

My other fave is small containers. I bought this package of 250, 5.5 oz cups.  Perfect portion planning.  Unfortunately, they sell the lids in 100 count packs.  It's a racket I tell ya.  A total of $12.79 for months and months of food prep and portioning.

See how cute and tiny they are?

What's your favorite grocery store or restaurant supply store find?  I wanna know.

PS: Get ready for a fantabulous giveaway that will be announced on Monday!

Weigh-in Day...and a Dentist Visit

Goal Weight: 145 lbs

This Week's Weight: 141.2 lbs

**************

I broke a big chunk off of my crown about two weeks ago and finally got to see my dentist yesterday. 

Oh the exciting life lead.

Luckily, the crown was repairable and I didn't need a new crown. (Phew! That's humungo $$$).

The dentist told me that it looks like I am grinding my teeth at night. 

I looked at her skeptically. 

Question authority, people. 

I know that most people experience day time headaches with night teeth grinding.  

So I asked her if someone had to chew all of their foods to the consistency of applesauce before swallowing would also show the same wear as grinding teeth at night.  And guess what she said:

"Absolutely."

I've sometimes thought about that extra bandster chewing and it effects on our teeth. 

In case you were wondering, she wasn't trying to sell me some expensive mouth guard.  She told me to go down to Target or Wal Mart and buy one.  Which I won't.

She also said that with my extra chewing that any future crowns that I get should be metal (gold) as they will hold up better.  I just smiled at her and thought in my head "Let's not and just say that we will. That Mike Tyson impersonation can wait."

I Have a Secret! Do You Promise Not To Tell Anyone?

Exercise is the secret to my successful long term weight loss and maintenance.

Shocking!

I know.

An impromptu photo shoot at Jazzercise last night.  

And I know what you're thinking...yes, I workout in a log cabin.  

Visiting That Place Where I Can Never Live

There's this place that I go. 

Wait, let me clarify, this place is only for visiting.

Short and very quick visits.

When I go there, I don't need my overnight bag. 

I can leave my Hello Kitty toothbrush and favorite pillow at home. 

Why? Because I can NEVER live there.

I cannot live in that place because I did live there.  For over 20 years. 

It was a very easy place for me to live all those years.  So easy!  It was comfy.  It was familiar.  Fun things happened in that place. But living in that place was not healthy for my body.

Where is this place that I'm talking about? 

It's the place that I like to call the land of  Bad Food Choices (B.F.C. for short).

I almost always know ahead of time if and when I will be visiting the land of B.F.C.  

It can be a meal or a simple snack.  These visits may happen once a week or 5 times in a week or no times a week.  It just depends on what I have going on in my life.

One thing that is super-duper important for me is that the land of B.F.C. is very rarely ever in my house or kitchen. 

The land B.F.C. is at Dairy Queen. 

It's also at Target in the cookies and chips aisle.

It can also be found at the local Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream shop.  That's a crack den in my opinion. Oh, and don't even get me started on Pizza Hut.  It's there too.

Before I even arrive at the land of B.F.C., my inner spreadsheet-making brain is already thinking about how I will leave the land of B.F.C. and find my way back.  Back where?  Back to the land of exercise and healthy food choices.

Luckily, I always seem to find my way back.

In the long 14 months of my losing phase, I almost NEVER visited the land of B.F.C.

I feel that I've settled nicely into this 80/20 balance now.  80% healthy choices and 20% the land of B.F.C.

I am starting to figure out that maybe this is what weight maintenance is all about for me.

Myth Alert!

I was lurking over on the LapBandTalk forums this weekend.  I was surprised to read that some of the recent post-ops had this unfortunately false misconception about the lap band.

Here's a direct quote:

"I thought that I wouldn't be able to eat the bad stuff and I'm learning that I can."

Oh...WOW.

That makes me kinda sad that they didn't know what they were getting into with the band.

I wonder if this bandster went to any support groups before they were banded to hear from other bandsters on what life was like with the band. 

Going to support group for me is a lot like exercising.  I never want to do it, but once I do, I am so glad that I did. 

The most important information that I receive at support groups is usually the smallest piece of information that makes the biggest impact on me.

Example: I remember when I went to my band support group one night about six weeks prior to my surgery (September 2009).  A banded woman there talked about how she had "run out of calories" for the day and that she was focusing on drinking her water for the rest of the evening.  No more food for her that night.

Right then. I knew it. 

I knew that to successfully reach my goal weight, this journey with the band was going to be a lot like Weight Watchers...but with some extra help on hunger control from the band.  I would still have to track my food and make exercise a priority.  Sigh.

So, anyways, just to make it crystal clear for any newbies reading this:

I can eat pretty much EVERYTHING that I ate before I was banded. 

The band does not stop me from making poor food choices.

It's up to me.

Channeling My Inner Soup Nazi

Do you know Amy W?  If you don't, you should run right over to her blog and say hi.

She's a veteran bandster who lives down in Florida.  She's shared with us so many things...how Color Me Badd is thee bomb and she treats us to pics of things that she finds pretty.  She also likes to dangle upside down.  But really, who doesn't.

Anywhoozle, I've been playin' around with her Chicken Divan Soup recipe for over a year now.  I make it in batches and freeze it in individual servings.  'Cuz that's how I roll.

I seem to change up the ingredients every time.  Here's my latest version of this soup.

I would considered this a "full liquid"...just in case you are pre-op, recently post-op, too tight...etc

Makes 8 servings. 

Each serving:

• 125 calories
• 17 grams of protein

Ingredients:  

• Olive Oil Cooking Spray
• A Few Shakes of Garlic Salt 
• 1/2 a bag of Frozen Three-Pepper & Onion Blend
• 12 oz Bag of Frozen Cauliflower (steamed)
• 10 oz Cooked and Chopped Chicken Breast (I used a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken)
• 2 oz. Light Rondele Spreadable Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese
• 4 oz (1/2 Cup) Shredded 2% Cheese (I used Sharp Cheddar, but any flavor will work)
• 48 oz (6 Cups) Chicken Broth

Spray large sauce pan with the spray and put it over medium-high heat; add the three pepper/onion blend and shake on some of the garlic salt.  Sauté 6-7 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. 

  

Stir in chicken broth and steamed cauliflower:

Reduce heat to medium and stir in cream cheese and shredded cheese:

Stir in chicken:

Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and chicken is heated through.

OK, so the soup is pretty much done and you could leave it as is.  It'll look like this.  Yum:

But, if you would like it smooth and creamy (and "Full Liquid" version), whip out your immersion blender and blend it up:

If you don't have a handheld immersion blender, let mixture cool slightly; process mixture, in batches, in a regular blender until smooth.

I used a dry erase pen to write the calories/proteins and the date I made it:

And into the freezer they go:

To reheat, I microwave for about 3 minutes stirring about halfway through. 

Weigh-in Day...

Goal weight: 145 lbs

Today's weight: 141.8 lbs




- Posted from my iPhone

Forever's a Lie. All We Have is What's Between Hello and Goodbye

There's been somethin' on my mind lately.

I've been  worrying  thinking about how long these bands are supposed to last.

Leave it to me to always invent something new to worry about, especially something that I have no control over.

In the last six months, I've read the ongoing stories and daily accounts of a small handful of bloggers who have had to have their bands removed.  Some have had revisions to other weight loss surgeries, some have not.  I applaud these ladies for taking control of their health and making some seriously difficult decisions.

So, anyways, this has got me thinking. 

Let's play out my crazy-train thought.  Humor me for a minute.

I understand that my band is made of silicone. 

I understand that it will last many, many years long after I am dead and gone. 

When the archaeologists dig us up thousands of years from now, they will find these bands inside of our bodies and make up cool and interesting stories about our civilization.

So, let's say that I have probably another 50 years or so left in my lifetime.  That would take me to 83 years old. If I could be so lucky...

Will this band do it's job for that long?  Lots can happen in 50 years.

I guess this thought that's been floating around in my head is that no one buys a new car and expects it to last for the rest of their life, so why would I expect this band to be with me for another 50 years?

What would be my plan "B" if my band had to be removed?

I guess that's the beauty of the band, that it is reversible (removable). I'm not sure if revision surgery would be for me.  Sure, there's a lot of positive information about the sleeve.  But there's not enough long term medical data out there for me to be convinced.  Supposedly there is a 8+ year study on the sleeve that will soon be published.

More importantly, would I be as accountable to myself without a band?

Maybe? This one freaks me out...big time.

Would I still make healthy food choices and exercise a priority?

I hope so?

I have met bandsters who still have their bands and are five, even ten years post-op.  They're doing great!

So why am I always trying to find answers to questions that haven't even been asked yet or trying to cross bridges before I even get to them?

"When the well's dry, we know the worth of water."

I've been getting emails and questions from you guys asking how I get in over 100 oz of water each day.  It's not too difficult now, but it was super crazy hard at first.  

I have found a few tricks that seem to work for me that I will share with you.

But first, let's have a respectful moment of silence for the good ol' days of when I would only drink Mt. Dew, Coke Classic, and juices.  {{silence}}  Yum.  I hardly EVER drank any water back then.  

However, when I did start drinking water I noticed a few not so fun side effects like some crazy heartburn and peeing every hour.  But guess what?  Those symptoms went away after about a week or so.  Now I have no heartburn and pee every two hours. 

Here's how I get my water party going, in extreme ridiculous detail (you've been warned):

• I start the day (6am) with a new 32 oz. Powerade Zero.  I've been officially addicted to these for about two months now.  Let me know if you know of a 12-step program for this.  Beware: the red flavor dyes your mouth red and makes you look like a scary vampire when you talk (bonus!). 

• Before I can have my breakfast (approx. 9am), I need to have drank that 32 oz. up.  I also will have drank (drunk?) a 16 oz coffee too in there. Coffee does not count towards my water total.

• After breakfast, I refill the bottle with tap water and add in a Propel Zero packet or Walmart Grape knock-off brand of crystal light.  I HATE Walmart and this grape flavor makes me go in to that evil place.  I buy 20 boxes at a time that lasts me months.

• Anyways, I know that I have to get that next 32 oz down before lunch (12pm). I will usually wait about 30 minutes after eating before I start drinking again.

• After lunch, I refill the bottle again (more Propel or Crystal Light) and know that I have to finish it before I leave work for the day (4pm).

• I refill my same bottle when I get home (more Propel or Crystal Light) and drink that while working out and then finish it off when I take my evening vitamins. 

• I stop drinking around 7pm...that way I only get up once during the night to pee.

So if you were keeping track, that's about 128 ounces of water for the day.

I made you a nifty spreadsheet 'cuz I think you're kinda cute:

The above process could be done with any size water container.  I used to do this same process with a 16 oz water bottle until I found my beloved Powerade Zero.

By the way, I take my water bottle with me EVERYWHERE. 

When I am running out the door, I know that my water bottle better be in my purse.

If I'm headed to a meeting at work, I bring it with me.  It's super fun to be the quietly gurgling bandster sitting on the other side of the conference room.  You know what I'm talking about...that gurgle noise that us bandsters get to experience.  Good times.

If I am headed out to a friend's house, the movies, shopping, or anywhere...my bottle is with me.

You know how if you are out and about and don't have your purse with you, you feel kinda weird, almost naked?  That's how I feel when I don't have my bottle with me.

I'm thinking of getting a reusable bottle.  Let me know if you have any recommendations.

*Title quote: courtesy of Benjamin Franklin.

I'm Kinda Scared To Talk About This..

Out loud...

I don't want to jinx myself.

Can we all knock on some wood before I say this out loud and write it down in black and white?

OK, so did you knock on some wood? Nicely done my friend.

Here goes...

I am no longer sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Yep, it's true.

One of the major reasons I lost the weight was that I was ALWAYS sick and ALWAYS tired.  

I remember when I was a fatty, a month couldn't go by without me having some nasty head cold, migraines, tummy bugs, and/or general aches and pains...this list could go on and on.

My bathroom medicine cabinets were well stocked in Pepto, Nyquil, Sudafed, Advil, Tylenol, etc.

With all the nasty colds and bugs going around lately, I had this moment of realization the other day:

{Whispers}: I haven't really been sick for almost two years.  Shhh....

WHAT?! (can you knock on some more wood for me?)

So I ventured into my medicine cabinet yesterday and realized that most of the bottles are still full and expired.

I also find that it is almost impossible to take naps now.  I LOVED naps when I was a fatty.  I could so easily fall asleep anytime/anywhere and sleep for 3 hours.  Easy cheezy.  I guess it was very tiring carrying around an extra 115 lbs.

Now do I nap? Not so much. Very rarely.  'Cuz I'm NOT tired.  What a concept indeed.

This could just be my best non-scale victory (NSV) EVER.

PS: Did you see what I did for some exercise yesterday? Check out Facebook for a crazy pic.