Surgery in 2 weeks!

    I got a call from my doctor's office yesterday and they may be able to move me ahead due to cancelations.  She was talking and asked me if I could be ready by the 14th.  The 14 of Feb I asked?  No silly the 14th of Dec.  Wow.  That is just 2 weeks away.  It is not for sure yet.  I find out Thursday but now I am so nervous.  She told me to make sure I have all my Christmas shopping done and presents wrapped.  All my baking done and house decorated.  I still have shopping to do and will have to kick it into high gear.  Plus I will have to do all the pre-op stuff.  My boss looked as shocked as me when I told her.  I was hoping to be 20 pounds lighter by the time I had the surgery.  They do not want you dieting but I think my plan is OK because I don't think of it as a diet.  Oh I am sooooooo nervous and excited.  I hope it doesn't fall through. 

   One more day at work and then off for 7 days.  I am going to workout as much as possible since I won't be able to workout for 6 weeks.  I am going to finish my shopping and get my tree up.  I am going to lose 4 pounds in 2 weeks and the surgery alone will probably help me lose another 5 pounds.  I will be able to get my next charm.  I don't think it is cheating having surgery.

Cold, Cold, Cold

                   

   We didn't get as much snow as they thought but it is cold out.  It didn't help that it rained first because under the snow is ice.    I love the way it looks with snow on the ground but I hate having to put on all my bulky clothes.  I gain 10 pounds just dressing to go outside.  Thermal underware.  Wool socks, heavy boots, wristies, gloves, undershirt and overshirt, winter jacket, scarf and hat.   When I am ready for the below zero weather I feel as heavy as I was 38 pounds ago.

   I am down a pound which pleases me because I was sure I would gain with the holiday.  I think all the exercise I do these days has increased my metabolism so I am burning more calories.  Nice.  I did my water aerobics today but missed my rehab appointment.  I thought it was at 2:30.

   Breakfast was shredded wheat again with blueberries on it.  For lunch I had leftovers.  Turkey in gravey on dressing, about a cup total.  Very salty.  For supper I am making turkey and noodle soup.  It  is in the crock pot cooking right now.  Rick has been doing the cooking when I work and makes no attempt to make it light.  I have the freezer and fridge full of light things to cook but he wants the things he always likes when it is cold.  I should just start cooking for myself.

Winter has hit Iowa

                                                       

 Blizzard outside.  burr.  I went to the gym and had a great workout, 30 minutes on the treadmill with a 6 % incline and at 3.5 MPH.  Then 1 1/2 hours on the weight machines.  I am slowing increasing my weights.  I am getting rid of the bags on my hips which is wonderful.  I have noticed my husband looking tighter and cuter also.  I love working out. 

   We are staying in tonight because of the storm and watching a movie.  I have some popcorn.  I may put my mat out and do some floor exercises unless my husband complains.  I feel the need to really workout after the long week I put in.  2 more 12 hour nights and then off for 7.  I am so ready for it.  I hope they don't cancel the swim class tomorrow. 

  I had organic shredded wheat and blueberries this morning, a slim fast before the gym and a slice of pizza for supper as we didn't get home in time to cook the meal I was going to.  Pizza is not a good choice but tastes good and I like it occasionally.  It's all in moderation.

Brussels Sprouts

At 10 calories a piece, Brussels Sprouts are a bargain.  They're low in fat and sodium, high in dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C, folate, beta carotene and vitamin E. They are cholesterol free, as well as YUM delicious.

They have proven health benefits in the field of cancer prevention and have shown that they help prevent macular degeneration (a leading cause in blindness).    

Brussels Sprouts are part of the Brassica Family and therefore cousin to broccoli as well as cabbage. They grow in bunches of 20 to 40 on the stem of a plant that grows from two to three feet tall.

In the late 1500's, Brussels Spouts became a popular delicacy in Belgium, and are therefore named after their capital, Brussels.  In the 1700's Captain Cook ordered his crew to eat sprouts, as well as limes to battle scurvy. (Do you think the chef on his ship knew about stir-frying?)

Brussels sprouts are commonly misspelled and mispronounced as "Brussel sprouts."

Brussels Tips!

• Your Brussels Sprouts should be firm, compact, bright green and no larger than a walnut.
• Small sprouts have a more tender texture, and the tight heads indicate freshness.
• Be sure to choose Brussels Sprouts that are a good green color. Avoid puffy, wilted, or yellow sprouts.
• Texture should be firm, leaves compact, and by all means - butt ends clean.
• Prepare sprouts by washing and then removing any yellow leaves.
• Refrigerate unwashed in a plastic bag and use within 3 days.
• Freeze Brussels Sprouts for long-term storage. Blanch the sprouts for 3-5 minutes and immediately rinse in cold water before draining and storing in an air-tight container.
• Boil sprouts for 5-6 minutes, add salt and pepper toseason and toss in a touch of (one teaspoon) garlic butter and a few herbs.
  Or toss with a teaspoon of olive oil.
• Stir-fry in any kind of nut oil (Hazelnut or Walnut oil is good) for 2 minutes; then add a couple of tablespoons of water, cover and bring to the boil. Simmer for a couple of minutes  until sprouts are tender.  You sure don't want to overcook em and make them mushy.  When done, sprinkle a few pine nuts on them.

• Brussels Sprouts Royale - Fit for a Queen or a Lady!
  

  Ingredients:
  
  1 lb onions, sliced thin
  1 tablespoon butter
  1 tablespoon sugar
  1 lb brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
  1 generous sprig of thyme
  2 pints low-fat chicken or vegetable stock
  salt
  freshly ground black pepper
  Service with reduced-fat sour cream
  or plain low-fat yogurt.
  cayenne pepper
  

   

  
  Instructions:
  
  1. Put the onions into a pan with the butter,
  cover and sweat over a gentle heat forever - a long time -
  I lost track of the time. Just let it sweat until the onions
  are very tender and soft.
  2. Sprinkle the sugar over the onions and cook, uncovered,
  for another 10-15 minutes until the onions are
  lightly colored and look a little like jam.
  3. Add the sprouts and thyme and stir around.
  4. Pour in the stock and season with salt and pepper.
  Bring to the boil and simmer for about ten minutes
  until the sprouts are just tender.
  5. Cool slightly, remove the thyme sprig, then liquidise in two batches.
  6. Reheat gently if necessary and adjust seasoning.
  7. Serve piping hot with a spoonful sour cream or yogurt
  with a dash of cayenne pepper

    I got this recipe and information from the kick in the tush club.  Sounds good and I can't wait to make it.
•    It is my day off.  Finally.  I am going to sleep until 12:30 and then if the roads are still good go work out.  I really need it.  I am so motivated to lose weight by the time my surgery get done.  I would like to be at least 20 pounds lighter.
  

Long stretch

   I am on day 4 of my 5 day 12 hour stretch.  I really miss my exercise this week.  Thanksgiving went well.  We had the meal catered from Hy Vee.  The food was really good except the pie didn't taste like it was cooked enough and they forgot our sage dressing.  My mother in law made some dressing.  It was nice waking up and going over there toe at without having to cook the meal.  My husband had it all heated up by the time my son and I got there.  Clean up was easy as the food wasn't cooked for hours in the dishes.

  I did not go shopping on Black Friday.  Never had and will never brave those crowds plus the shame of people fighting and acting like animals.  I haven't got it in me.  I wouldn't claw my way through the crowd for a bargain. 

  We had our usual admits on Thanksgiving with chest pain.  14 this year which may be a record.  It was sad they had to spend the holidays at the hospital but we made them welcome.

  Eating..... Lots of food at the hospital.  I was glad when it ended last night.  I have not been as good as I planned because I have been eating some left overs.  Last night was good though.    It would be better if I could get to the gym.

Happy Thanksgiving

Let us rise up and be thankful,
for if we didn't learn a lot today,
at least we learned a little,
and if we didn't learn a little,
at least we didn't get sick,
and if we got sick,
at least we didn't die;
so, let us be thankful.

-The Buddha

 

Author Unknown

One stormy night many years ago, an elderly man and his wife entered the lobby of a small hotel in Philadelphia. Trying to get out of the rain, the couple approached the front desk hoping to get some shelter for the night. "Could you possibly give us a room here?" the husband asked.

The clerk, a friendly man with a winning smile, looked at the couple and explained that there were three conventions in town. "All of our rooms are taken," the clerk said. "But I can't send a nice couple like you out into the rain at one o'clock in the morning. Would you perhaps be willing to sleep in my room? It's not exactly a suite, but it will be good enough to make you folks comfortable for the night."

When the couple declined, the young man pressed on. "Don't worry about me; I'll make out just fine, the clerk told them." So the couple agreed. As he paid his bill the next morning, the elderly man said to the clerk, "You are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I'll build one for you."

The clerk looked at them and smiled. The three of them had a good laugh.

As they drove away, the elderly couple agreed that the helpful clerk was indeed exceptional, as finding people who are both friendly and helpful isn't easy.

Two years passed. The clerk had almost forgotten the incident when he received a letter from the old man. It recalled that stormy night and enclosed a round trip ticket to New York, asking the young man to pay them a visit. The old man met him in New York and led him to the corner of Fifth Avenue and 34th Street.

He then pointed to a great new building there, a palace of reddish stone, with turrets and watch-towers thrusting up to the sky. "That is the hotel I have just built for you to manage." he said. "You must be joking." said the young man.

"I assure you I am not." said the older man, a sly smile playing around his mouth. The older man's name was William Waldorf Astor, and the magnificent structure was the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

The young clerk who became its first manager was George C. Boldt. This young clerk never foresaw the turn of events that would lead him to become the manager of one of the world's most glamorous hotels.

Remember, life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than the things you acquire.

Last workout day.

 

    This picture turned out so bad.  I really need to get a new memory card for my camera.  Anyway.  These were some pants that I had when I was at my heaviest.  I was just about to outgrow them because they were getting tight.  Since all my pants were elastic waist it is hard to show how baggy, but trust me when I said I filled them out and can't wear them anymore.  I should have taken better pictures with me in shorts and a sleeveless shirt.  Then it would show better.

   I get my mamogram this morning.  I missed my appointment yesterday so they are squeezing me in today.  Ouch.  They sure are.  Then rehab on my hand for an hour.  I am going to the gym this afternoon for work out for 2 hours because I work the rest of the week until monday and might not get a chance to workout the rest of the week.  This will be a difficult week.  I wonder how many patients we will have.  We usually get quite a few people in with chest pain and CHF because they eat to much and forget their medicine or don't take it because they are traveling.