So Bring It On Life

As my last blog stated, I got a shock in the mail but, it is what it is right? All Good. LOL Moving on........

I was turned onto a new show on Netflix called Black Mirror. I had never heard of it and I find that its been on like 3 years already and let me tell you , it's bizarre BUT GOOD!! I'm really enjoying it and it says a lot with out saying much.  I know kind of how you all wish I would be LMAO  Ain't happening HA!!

So I was online and I found a group on line doing this keto diet, OMG all the fatty food they eat, I see then dropping so much weight but they eat like 3 eggs and 4 strips of bacon and full fat cheese and dairy. Granted there is no carbs in these and Crabs are like velcro with me but how are they losing?? I am on South Beach which is low carb and I've dropped 40 lbs, but part of me is tempted to try this. Funny thing is I'm not a huge bacon fan. I use olive oil , what little I use. I don't know. I know my cholesterol is low and I don't have to worry, NOW, but what about in the future. I can't figure how clogging arteries is good.  Its all so confusing. I'm getting impatient and that's the worse thing to be, that's when you start to make excuses. I wont do it, I will be strong. hey got through one of the biggest eating holidays of the year.  I had a low fat dessert using 2% ricotta cheese last night, (1/2 cup mixed with a scant teaspoon of dark cocoa powder and a packet of stevia) tasted really nice but looked unappetizing  LOL I enjoyed it though. I'm really not craving huge sweets or even carbs really.  Although pizza will forever be my kryptonite. But I can deal.


Just remeber:

Ciao for now

Oh for FUCK"s Sake

I could scream

Sometimes

Sometimes Christmas songs make you cry

Sometimes you wish you could take all the hurt away from those you love and care about

Sometimes you get surprise cheer ups from total strangers

Sometimes you just need to sleep a little longer

Sometimes you want to turn off the world

Sometimes you want to hug everyone you know really tight

Sometimes you love too much and cant help it

Sometimes you want to call your mother (but you can't anymore )

Sometimes you wish you could go back a few years and do things slightly differently (even though they were great)

Sometimes you wish you could gift those you love with their hearts desires

Sometimes you wish you could swim

Sometimes you wish you looked better

Sometimes you wish you knew where you will end up in a year or two

Sometimes you realize life is how it is and you need to live it to the fullest, love those you care about with all your heart, embrace what you have and don't worry about the sometimes, stay focused on the now AND trust in tomorrow

:-D

Not The Best Way To Start A Week

So this morning I leave to go to the office and low and behold it seems that someone smacked into my passenger side door. Luckily there is no dent but it does a lovely dark blue scratch across the middle. Its about 2.5" wide but of course to me it seems much larger. Such a pain in the ass. My car is not even 2 1/2 years old yet.  I know it could be worse, much worse, but it irks me. I am very careful when i open my door if I'm near another car. Especially if its windy. This just shows to me that people can indeed be selfish and it makes me sad. I will get some rubbing compound and if the weather is decent enough see if I (or hubs) can rub out the mark.  I still have that scratch on the drivers side from when somebody was walking through the hotel parking lot I was staying at during snow team 2 years ago. Its also annoying but its a slight scratch and its not BLUE!!! lol  On a white car it really shows up
I know bitch bitch bitch... but I'm mad, lol

A friend of mine's mother passed away on Thanksgiving and I am not sure if I will be heading up to NY for the funeral. I may, not sure yet. All depends on the funds. I most likely will, he is a sweet man and I liked his mom quite a lot.

Okay peeps that's it for now, ciao for now

Thanksgiving Survival or "How We Beat The Turkey"

    Well peeps, this round chick can say she officially beat the gluttony that so many American households  took part in yesterday as we celebrated Thanksgiving. To me it seemed a bit hypocritical as those original inhabitants of this country are now being attacked as they are trying to protect sacred burial ground so a oil pipeline wont run through ti. Thi si land that they WERE GIVEN. So wrong, in my opinion anyway.
     Personally for me, on this day I give thanks for my family and friends and to the good things that have happened and the ability of us to surpass the bad.  There have been such a mix of both. My battles with food were victorious as I had not one bite (nor 5 or 6 either LOL) of carbs, no stuffing, no potatoes, no dinner rolls, no desserts. I had meat and veg, (turkey, asparagus and green beans) I was sated and I am looking to enjoying a mini version of this meal with hubby that will include a crustless pumpkin pie. Low fat and no carbs.    Our night was very pleasant, it was good to see them and my niece introduced me to the world of Snapchat. LOL  Wanna see? (and even if you dont LOL)

I call this fairy mary  LMAO  hehehehe
     So all in all yesterday was great, hope your weekend is going to be great. Ciao for now

Nice Day? Yep!

    Hubs is feeling better so that was a good start and traffic was light. Got to work and I'm logging in to my computer, when I get a text from a friend who was transferred to the government side of the company I worked for. They have since become their own company merging with yet another one so we do not see each other often anymore. But she was thinking of me and just dropped a line to say she misses me and loves me to bits. Wants to get together for a holiday meet up. Then one of the ladies who sits behind me told me that she loves that she sits there as I have such a bubbly personality its nice to hear how I speak with people om the phone.   She also said the days I was out it was so quiet,  now THAT I believe.  hehehe
    I've been feeling weird, not bad but off for me. I seem to be throwing out lots, and really concentrating on myself. I still annoy people, wouldn't want to disappoint, but I'm focused on me, hubs, my home and Dad and Sis mainly. Some dear friends are going through things and as much as I want to be part of their lives I'm stepping back a little so they can do what they need to. I see glimpses of fun they are having on social media of course and in time we will have good chats but for now I am secure that they know I am here if they need me for anything, and I love them to bits. I do text occasionally though to be fair, just miss them so much.   Sis will be seeing me shortly (yeah yeah only way anyone can see me, funny funny  LMAO) I'm so looking forward to seeing her. I need the fun break. Maybe we can go to a movie, that would be cool.  No NY food this trip, meaning bagels or pizza. But that okay, I'm not starving, so Im not even going for sympathy points as I don't need them.
     UH-OH just sneezed again and now my nose is all stuffy.  Tis the season. It wont last, it was like this this morning too then it went away. It is cold out though, was 32 degreesF when I woke up and now its a balmy 46degreesF, heatwave!!! LOL
  Well it just got really busy again so I am off to be bubbly  :-D   Cia For Now

Not Quite A Short Week

.   I say that as Thanksgiving is upon us, what used to be the "start" of the holidays. But when Christmas trees are side by side with Jack O'Lanterns it gets a bit muddled. I was at Home Depot yesterday and I will admit the trees really did look so pretty, with all the lights twinkling.  But as I was saying Thanksgiving is here, the grocery stores are having turkey sales and cranberry sauce and canned pumpkin for pies are right up front, along with the spices, and the pans to cook all these delicacies in.  For hubs and myself it's just us and the cat. I'm preparing a turkey breast, lots of veg, and as a treat I will be making a crust less sugar free pumpkin pie.  Stevia will be the sweetener for our feast. I know in my last blog I mentioned many things mom used to make, but we are focusing on the actual wording of this holiday.  The country is a bit crazed right now, and I personally feel, I need to put my focus on things and people who matter in my life. My dad, who's right up on that list, is having his dinner at the neighbors. I'm thrilled for this. They treat him like family, and I am very thankful for them. I love my Dad and miss him terribly, but truth, if he moved her, that would be the end of him. He has his routines that keep him active. I'll see him in several weeks time. Of course my hubby is my focus, poor dear us feeling a bit rough. Bit of stuffiness, it will pass but I don't like seeing him uncomfortable. Of course Sis, and my couple of dearest friends. I'll have more about them as we get closer to Thursday. Ooooh you're bursting at the seams in anticipation I bet. Hahahaha
     Moving on, it's almost 11 and I should be getting ready to sleep, especially as I was up at 5am this morning. What the hell got me up at that hour I'll never know. Hubs was awake as well. So we had a very lovely extended cuddle session, then we went downstairs and had breakfast. As we say their, the wind was literally howling around the house.  Yesterday was a high of 70, today it got up to 42. Same for tomorrow. My Uncle &Aunt upstate NY, got a decent amount of snow. First one of the season. I have a feeling, here in VA we are going to see some decent snowfalls as well. I think I need some additional blankets. Lol Even the cat has crawled under hub's blanket tonight. I see the little bump down by his feet. I put a video of her snoring on Facebook this evening, I love my little kitty.
      Well I am going to try and sleep, half 5 will be here soon enough. So until next time, ciao for now

Recipe Saturday

So the "holidays" are coming, and growing up in an Italian family that meant food!! Omg, my mother bless her, along with grandma went all out. Thanksgiving there was hardly room on the table for the plates to hold the bounty that showed up. Of course there was turkey, with all the trimmings i.e.: stuffing and candied yams, veggie casseroles, salad. Now add it the Italian vibe and there was also a course of some kind of pasta ( lasagne, ravioli, stuffed shells) sausage, pork, and meatballs. And I was the baker, for Thanksgiving I always made an Italian cheesecake. So good, made with ricotta cheese, 3lbs of it, but it was lighter than NY style and went very well with cappuccino and espresso.  Let's just say everyone went home with enough food for a few days. It worked out well as it gave mom a cooking break also. Then she started planning Christmas. She loved hosting the parties, her, myself and grandma were the kitchen crew, if course clean up also had aunts and cousins joining in.  Lol Christmas dinner was another food feast, special foods, even homemade raviolis and veal cutlet parmigiana. Veal was a holiday meat lol  Anyway,  it's no wonder I'm on a constant diet. But that being said here are some recipes that you won't need to open the top button on your pants or wear stretchy pants.  But go ahead if you want, I won't judge you. Hehehe

- Let's start with dessert LMAO: peanut butter chocolate "ice cream"
Take a sugar free frozen fudge pop, put it in the microwave for about 20 seconds until almost melted. Add about 1 1/2 teaspoons peanut natural butter and about a tablespoon of light cool whip. Mix it all up. You have a peanut butter chocolate mousse. Eat it like that but I like to pop it in the freezer and make a no carb ice cream out of it.   You can alter the amounts of PB and cool whip to taste ( and your plan) of course.
- Snack time: crunchy chickpeas ( or as I call them Chichi's)
I am a snacker on occasion, at work often around 3 in the afternoon. I found this recipe years ago and it's a perfect low carb snack, crispy and great to annoy people as its damn crunchy.  Lol
Take a large can of chickpeas, drain & rinse. Spread them out in a single layer on a sheet tray. Bake about 30 minutes in a moderate oven, 350 for us here in US. I'm guessing about gas4 in Europe ( sorry don't know other settings) then take them out and put in a bowl, drizzle (operative word there) a touch of good olive oil, then add seasonings, I like garlic and Italian herbs but you can add sprinkles or Parmesan also.  Then lay them out on the tray and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until nice and golden brown. Sis is giving me this sweet curry spice mix and I can't wait to use in this recipe. Yummy
- Main  Course   Loin Lamb Chops with Mint Pesto
MINT PESTO
⅔ cup packed fresh mint leaves
¼ cup packed fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons pine nuts or chopped walnuts
1 garlic clove, smashed and peeled
½ teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
LAMB CHOPS 8 loin lamb chops (each about 1 inch thick), well trimmed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Heat the broiler.
For the pesto: In a blender or food processor, process the mint, parsley, nuts, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice until finely chopped. With the machine running, drizzle in the oil and process until almost smooth.
For the lamb: Place the chops on a broiler pan. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Broil the chops for 3 minutes per side for medium-rare.  Spoon pesto over the meat, 2 chops per serving.
- Breakfasttime.
Brekkie is easy peezy. One of my favorites is scramble some eggs, add chopped veg (your choice) bit of s&p, spice it as you like it. Pour into a non stick muffin tin And bake at 350 for about 14 minutes or until your eggs are cooked. Put them in a zip bag and take to the office. Or freeze them for later munching.
Another one I love is just take plain Greek yogurt, add some fruit and a touch of vanilla extract, mix it up and eat. You can add some sweetness also (raw honey, stevia, whatever your choice is.
     So there you have a day of food. No one would ever think you're dieting, and your not. You're just eating better. That's what I tell myself.
Be inventive, try new foods, lots of good stuff out there and so much of it is healthy. Yeah it may take time and a bit more cash at the grocery but I'm worth it.
WELL THAT WAS DIFFERENT hahahaha
Ciao for now peeps, catch ya later.

Here Comes The Weekend

     And the weather is going to be a big stretch, tomorrow it goes up to a high of almost 70 degrees F and Sunday it's only a high of 49 degreesF and windy. I can tell you right now, Sunday will be a day for cooking meals for the week ahead. I am getting a bit tired of chicken. And I really enjoy chicken. But I want some salmon, I love salmon. So I went through my south beach diet cookbook ,( yes I have one from a long time ago, it's an actual book! Lol ) to get a few ideas. I have some now. Since we can now have high complex carbs in moderation, I'm going to get some pork, buffalo and yes salmon. Will make a sweet potato mash, and a brown rice pilaf. Asparagus is on sale so yes please. Brussels of course too. I'll be busy but my plan us to have at least a full week and a half of meals to put in the freezer. Hubs gets home at about 6:15 so this way, a quick pop in the microwave (after thawing in fridge during the day) and dinner is ready. Like I told Sis, sometime around the Spring she may need to help me stay away from the NY goodies when I visit. I love her to bits.
     Right now both hubby and the cat are snoring.  It's one after the other, and the cat is pretty loud. It's not even half past 10, such party animals.  After this I'm settling in myself, yay tomorrow is Friday. It's been a stressful week, remnants of Colitus are still present but the cramping and, let's say need, to stay near home is past. Thankfully.  Sunday through Tuesday I was so drained. I felt like I ran a marathon. Dr said once there it's always there. Goes dormant, then BAM! It hits. Stress is a huge cause so there's been a lot cumulatively over the year ( or even two). My system went, fuck this, I'm out! Plus I'm eating more dairy, not the best thing to do with this. Lol But all good now.
     Coming home tonight, I was driving through an older historic section of town and of course lights are on, as it's dark by 5:30 now. So being me, (nosy) I look in the homes. Really nice Craftsman style and a few beautiful Victorians. And low and behold, I see a Christmas tree. All lit up and sparkling.  It looked beautiful but, but, it's not even Thanksgiving yet. Come on guys, really. I miss the old days when you didn't decorate until it was December. It was usually the end of the first week in December for us. Mom always had lots of relatives over for Thanksgiving so one holiday at a time. Both were huge cooking/baking holidays so they each shined in their own time. It was nice to see but this holiday season is low key. Not even sure if there will be a big tree, but we have a little one that goes on the credenza. It's only 4' so I can even but the topper on it. Hahaha.
      Well peeps this was just a little blog tonight, more to come. So until next time, ciao for now

So Happy Its Thursday

    Trying to write today and nothing is coming to me. Odd as I have lots in my head but nothing is coming out so its picture day - WOOHOO

Some of these mean a lot as they are memories from my England trip (with a little Paris added in) and others that just make sense today and make me smile LOL 

So I Found Out

    I finally spoke with the nurse and it seems my test results are almost 100% fab, sugar levels are great and liver, kidney functions are tip top, Cholesterol is good and in the right order, BUT my magnesium is low. So I now have to take supplements, 400IU's worth every day. I'm already taking vitamin D supplements that I will have to take forever. I swear I'm going to rattle. LOL  Could be worse though so I'll take it. But don't they scare you leaving messages like that. So that proves it, Im just fat! I'll take it! LOL Ciao for now.

Ponder

     I'm home today, my colitis is hitting me, damn thing was dormant for years and in the last few years it's been back. So be it, I've been changing my diet and perhaps too much cheese, oh I have no idea why. Lol so I've been binge watching The Crown, it's very good and now I must wait for season 2.  If accurate, I feel bad for Philip and admire the Queen for what she had to do, and sacrifice.
     so here I am waiting on a call back from my doctors office. A call came in yesterday but I missed it. My blood work came back and they want to go over certain issues. Of course they don't say what this issues is  but I must speak with a dr or nurse so I have no idea. I'll let ya know.  Very curious, I admit. I'm tired, feel a bit drained as colitis can do that. :-). So I'm going to make tea and relax, ciao for now

Well Isn't This Nice

     As the people voted in a new president, riots broke out in protest, the Canadian immigration website crashed and people have unfriended people on Facebook. Again I am not happy with the outcome but I'm not going to riot!!  I really am afraid for my country, people are in pain for so many different reasons and they are lashing out. Its scary times here and will be more come January 20th when Trump gets sworn in.  ACK!!!!
   

Yes I was A Bit Shocked - But This Is All I'm Going To Say

If you feel you won - Don't gloat

if you feel you lost - Don't despair

Seriously I am seeing so much hate from both sides. Including attacks and comparisons that are hurtful to so many.

Grow up people!!! If you were able to vote, then you are an ADULT, its done, so be it, act like an adult. It's not the 'END OF THE WORLD", nor is it TRUMPAMERICA NOW"

It's the United States of America, we have been through hard times before and we will again I'm sure.

But from what I can see if we get any more divided we will no longer exist as a nation.

Rhetorical Question I suppose LOL

Why is it the more I'm doing to get myself healthy, there are days I feel like total shite!!?  Today started great, my new hair shade is pleasing to me, I look good if i do say so myself, clothes look good . I've gotten 3 compliments on my weight loss today, and yet I get up to get tea or run to the toilet and my legs are cramping up like a someone is twisting them. Something akin to how one would wring out a towel after you've washed it. Its no pleasant. Its two weeks now that Ive been back to the gym and since ive started South Beach Im eating less than 900 calories a day. My doctor said she doesn't think its anything too serious, more like my muscles are saying you plumper, you've been nice and quiet for a year and you decide to move?? We will make you suffer, well fuck you muscles, youu will do as I say. LOL  My doctor took blood my last visit and told me I must take vitamins, something i hadn't been doing. I do take magnesium tablets when this happens during the night. Poor cat, happend last night and she was sleeping between my legs, and I got a cramp and almost tossed her across the room I threw the covers off so fast. Hopefully between more stretching said muscles and taking vitamins this will subside. She is also checking my triglycerides as I may have kidney stones and it will show there. But BP and sugar levels are great. Knock wood. Ugh, getting healthy is fucking hard but so worth it, I'm liking how I look again. Back to the me from a few years ago. Im not alone in my journey and that helps tons.

Okay my rant is over but i need to go stretch my muscles, needy bastards  LOL     Ciao for now

Song Lyrics

They make you feel, fortunately not like they used to which is good , we move on through life, accepting and understanding things change, but occasionally you just remember:

I miss the sound of your voice
And I miss the rush of your skin
And I miss the still of the silence
As you breathe out and I breathe in

If I could walk on water
If I could tell you what's next
I'd make you believe
I'd make you forget

So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love

I miss the sound of your voice
Loudest thing in my head
And I ache to remember
All the violent, sweet
Perfect words that you said

If I could walk on water
If I could tell you what's next
I'd make you believe
I'd make you forget

So come on, get higher, loosen my lips

Good times will never be forgotten and always remembered with a smile. No matter who we are I think everyone can identify with these words.  As I have said, our past has made us who we are today and today is making us stronger to face tomorrow! 

Ciao for now 

Okay It Is Difficult

For me to stay away from carbs.  So I've lost weight and today I logged in 100 days in a row on My Fitness Pal.  I've not done that in like ever! I've been honest. Most times I was under my calorie goal but I felt it was a bit high at 1400 calories. But then again there were days I wS over. Not by a huge amount but those days some pizza or French fries found there way onto my plate. The fries were rRd as I really don't eat fried foods much anymore. Don't get me wrong I had me some mighty good fish and chips in England and I do love them. With all kinds of sauces bad for me and malt vinegar of course. But bubs and I decided to step it up a notch and do south beach diet. No carbs for 2 weeks. Maybe 4 if I stay in phase 1 longer. I may. And this is dsy  2 so those past few days no problem. My calorie count yesterday was 633 and today I come in at 810. Tonight though I'm craving carbs. Bread, garlic bread to be exact. I won't have it. But it's day by day right.  I'm having a weak moment but it will pass.  As Sis and her friend like to say, I fought the carbs and the carbs won.  But this time I WON. I'm preparing foods, and although limited once I go on Phase 2 I can have whole grains, sweet potatoes, brown rice, whole grain crabs, limited of course but yes. Real food, real cooking, healthy so the occasional wild or special days can occur.
    I will not go on and on, not right now anyway.  Lol.   Ciao For Now

Yesterday's Short Blog, Allow me To Clarify

   In a perfect world, when a transition comes to your company, all will be set up and run smooth. As usual this was not the case and of course we here at the helpdesk are the ones under fire. Im just tired of being yelled at for something nit my fault. Its just enough is enough, but at least personal life is fine, knock wood.  Doctor on Thursday to check these pains in my left side (possible kidney stones) so otherwise all is status quo.  I'll be back peeps.  Ciao for now