Weight Loss Challange Jan. 17 - 24, 2009

Ok, we are halfway thru the first month of a new year. Most of us have managed to get rid of the holiday goodies & are attempting to get back to healthy eating. It is hard to make the switch for many as we are true addicts to carbs. Just as a drug or relationship addict runs back to their addiction of 'choice?' we are drawn to carbohydrates. With much work and self training we can learn to eat good carbs - yes there are many good carbs - and be more healthy for it. That does not mean we will forever be free of cravings for bad carbs. My feeling is that there is something in these foods that our bodies need in at least small amounts that then gets out of control. I may be wrong, in fact many will probably say I am definately wrong, but that is my thoughts on the subject. Take chocolate. What use to considered a terrible waste of calories is now known to be good for us in small amounts. Same for wine, caffine, etc. We need to use these items in very limited amounts. So if you have a craving that will not go away in a day or 2, give in and have a small amount. If the cravings are serious enough I would think you should use these items on a fairly regular basis in very small amounts so that you do not feel deprived & your body gets what it may really need.

Breakfast for me has been 2 servings of oatmeal made with soy milk& about 1/3 cup of raisins in it, sweetened with Stevia and some cinnamon added. I have soup left over from yesterday that will be lunch and maybe supper.

The weather here is cold, 32*, but clear & sunny. Not a bad day at all so far. The dogs are still taking short potty breaks.

Joann, I'm sorry you didn't get to see Baby B & her mommy yesteray. You got to see so much of her over the holidays that not seeing her as much now is hard to take. I'm glad to hear you had a good day with your other DD tho.

Vic, it sounds as tho you are in for a a couple good workouts a weeks with your DD. I think that is a wonderful way for you to spend time together. If I did that kind of exercises I would need parametics standing by to take me to the hospital. lol

Anna, I pray that calf makes it and is healthy the rest of its life. I've had some that never seemed to recover from a bad start. However I've had many more that did. Can losing a calf be a real bad thing in todays economy or are calves almost a liability as they were back in the '70s(?)when they were so cheap farmers just shot them by the hundreds? Not being active in livestock any more I know nothing of how this would affect you. Or do you have highly bred cows that you sell for breeding stock?

I have found a nearby farmer who will sell us a ground raised hog of about 100# and let us kill it there on his place & help us load it into my van(which is about my only way of transporting it)for about $60. I think Brenda & I will do that as soon as my wrist/hand is well enough to handle the butchering. Kyle is all for it but he reminded me that he is the only one in his house who will be eating it. Holly & Skyler will eat sausage and ham. I told Holly I have Mom Mcclure's recipe for sausage seasoning which is what Kyle & his siblings grew up eating. I have the grinder Kyle bought me a few years ago so grinding whole hog sausage will be no problem. 100# ground raised hogs don't have much fat anyway. The farmer only lives about 7 miles from me. I love butchering!!

Meems, how are doing today. I should have gone back & read the last sveral posts just to be up to date on everyone. We sure are glad you have come over to join our family.

To whomever bought the plain Metamucil by mistake, take it with juice or coolaid. That will give it flavor. You will have to drink it fast.

I'll be back later & talk to the rest of the family. GOD bless & keep each of you.