Gee when it's 52 degrees here and you still see nuts in shorts. Oops I mean people in shorts. The snow is coming by noon today but usually we start 2 hours earlier than they say or don't get any at all. Hubby was hunting his long underwear this morning and I told him they were in the wash. Well they are...and he found a pair of old white ones. Sent for the Cooking Light magazine - they sent me an offer I could not refuse - $10 for a year. Here is a recipe I found in my recipe box yesterday. Will need to try some of the recipes I keep. This one sounds good. Hearty beef barley soup 2 t oil 20 baby carrots - chopped (or 2 medium - chopped) 1 large onion - chopped 2 celery stalks - chopped 2 t minced garlic (note I buy this in a jar) 1 14 ounce can ff chicken broth 1 " " " " beef broth 3 cups water 3/4 cup quick (10 minute cook time) barley if you use regular barley cook it seperately to package directions except for the last 10 minutes 1 package (1 pound) already cooked beef tips in gravy Heat oil in Dutch Oven (If you don't have one saute vegs in skillet and then add to larger pot) Add veggies and onion until they start to soften (about 2 minutes) Add garlic, both cans of broth and water stir Add barley and beef and gravy, simmer until barley is tender. 201 calories 6 servings

Well....calling all cars, calling all cars! Come in! How ya doing? I noticed this morning in the mirror that I am looking smaller on my tummy and my pants are looser. My weight will now probably plateau for a week or two while my body shifts but after looking in the mirror I am just inspired. My usual lunch treat today at work is a gorgeous fruit salad. My hunger pains are more at bay today, now that TOM is settling down. Going to have half my salad at dinner tonight with added celery and chicken with a lovely hot cuppa broth. Do you like pancakes? Instead of frying them, you could try baking them on a non-stick baking sheet. Lemon Sauce - guilt free A nice lemon sauce would go lovely over the top (you can use 1/2 cup water, juice of 1 lemon and 1 tsp of cornstarch - bring to a boil from COLD on the stove, turn down heat and stir slowly until clear and thick. Remove from heat and THEN add sweetener to taste (not during the heating as it makes the sweetner bitter). This also works making a lovely baked apple dessert...I microwave a chopped apple in a dish and drizzle over the top. You can also use things like 7 UP instead of lemon juice, Apple juice and cinnamon. Just about any juice and sugar free drink would work. Also make great toppings for low fat ice creams, a slice of angel food cake (very low fat and the egg whites are good for you). Have you tried anything new lately? do tell! Calling all cars! McPeg

Wouldn't we all like to change places with our cruiser today?? Oh McPeg - hugs!! If they wanted to get rid of you they would have. You must be doing something right. If you love the job as much as you say smile pretty and kill them with kindness. They have the power because they write the check. I had a job and boss I loved and changed departments (not my choice!) and ended up with the worst boss in the printing plant. I lasted 2 years. If you can't take it get out of there and go somewhere there is less pressure or ask for a transfer there. It sounds like they are giving you a chance at least. Lots of places are "all business". My cousin (a woman) owns her own business and it is like a tomb in that office. You have had a lot of headaches the past few weeks and deserve all our hugs for that. Hang in there! big big hugs to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The banquet last night was a long drawn out affair I should not complain about free food but - the chicken was breaded fried and had ham and American cheese in it. It looked like a loaf of bread. The Athenians would never have touched that! The salad was really fruit with some dairy sauce on it. About the only healthy thing was the carrots. I passed the dessert right to hubby so that was good at least. The entertainment was good but there was too much of it and after kids singing, testimonials (it was a children's ministry appreciation dinner) and thank yous, group singing with a guy who kept saying "one more time!", kids dancing then they called up a speaker! He was good but I was ready to bolt for the door. I do not need to worry about my doctor's appt Monday because it turned out I had scheduled my appt. and the dog's appt. 10 minutes from each other so we know which one was put off another 2 weeks ;-) I made the Italian pasta dish that I posted the recipe for supper and hubby loved it but boy is it spicy! It would be great food when someone has a cold. If you try it, precook the sausage and cool it before slicing. I had too many things going on at once and overcooked it a little but that did not hurt anything. I thought it "needed" something so added a spoonful of fat free sour cream to my dish. I used frozen pepper stir fry for the peppers and picked the onions out so was a little low on peppers and added mushrooms. Red, yellow and orange peppers here are $4.00 a pound. Hmmm maybe I sould grow some this summer.... Oh heck gals I have been losing and gaining the same 8 pounds forever. BUT I am still 46 pounds lighter than I used to be! It makes a big difference in your life. My problem is I had quit going to the doctor's for years so he did not see the biggest me. To ME I am thin! Mom has tried to find the WW bagels everywhere so she went to the store where she bought them and ordered 10 packs! The manager said they were suprised how many people are asking for them. MaryAnn did you go out on the motorcycle? Hubby wants me to ride with him but it is bad enough riding in the car. You know you (and me!) are getting old when a late night is 10 pm. YH what is O'Charlies? Sounds like a pub. Hmmm do we need to do a 5 pound challenge? Haven't done a challenge in a while. Well big hugs to all who share this torture er/a struggle. Have a great tomorrow! Kathy

Hi! You are on the right track. A bike ride to Curves is a good thing! My advice is this: Drink lots of water,chew sugarless gum to satisfy the urge to put something in your mouth. DO NOT keep junk food in your house.Throw out all junk today and don't buy anymore. Replace all fatty high calorie foods with lite ones ( mayo, dressings etc) Don't shop while hungry. Keep lots of cut celery, carrots and other crunchy veggies around and ready to grab for "the munchies" Make a deal with yourself not to give in to your cravings until after a 1/2 hour waiting period and a tall glass of water. The craving will probably have passed by then. Put up a "skinny" picture of yourself on the fridge. Reward yourself with a treat (NOT FOOD!!) after not cheating for a certain period of time ( a day, a week, whatever it takes...) Pick a "special" non food treat for each samller size that you can fit into. Plan fun, workout activities with your hubby or a friend. Walking, roller skating, biking etc. Pick a buddy to help you be accountable for regular exercise and good food habits. Record your food intake daily ( log EVERYTHING that goes into your mouth)Try fitday.com Pick a food plan (weight watchers, south beach etc) and stick to it. If you don't have a "weight buddy" then weight watchers is a great support system for being accountable. Allow yourself one special meal each week where you eat your favorite things in moderate amounts ( ONE meal!!)Learn serving sizes and measure. Keep busy. Idle hand, you know... : ) Keep posting here and ask for help and support whenever necessary. Volunteer. Help somebody in need. Nothing takes my mind off of me as much as spending some time helping somebody else. You will never make up for love lost during your childhood, but you can add love to your life now by giving to others. It will come back you! You can NEVER accomplish this with food. Food won't love us, people will. This is a great forum . There are some really wonderful people here. We all support eachother! Any other hints for her ladies? Now... Go make this a great Monday! Tikanas