Goings on

You can post feeds in new ways, blogger just told me.

Nice day today, though still cold, only slightly above freezing. I haven't been able to garden much, although i did get the corn gluten on yesterday in the snow flurries (argh). I got my little plot at school spring cleaned today, plus a few other things. We had a nice lunch, I worked out, walked Essi, and made a big pot of chile, most of which I froze. This is good. I was very sore today, feet and everywhere else. We had a very nice dinner with our neighbors last night at their house. Good meal and very fine conversation. I did so enjoy the evening. We both did.

Tomorrow, a day of beauty, or at least some pampering,
Sue

Slimming Snacks

A friend sent me this message. Some of these could also be breakfast or lunch (with a salad).

8 Slimming Snacks

By Rachel Crocker

Put those chemical-filled cookie bags back on the shelf where they belong! Stay on the diet straight and narrow with these filling, delicious, fat-loss approved snacks. Bonus: They’re all under 200 calories!


1. Slice one hard-boiled egg. Place pieces on five low-salt whole-grain crackers topped with small tomato slices. Add ground pepper to taste.
2. Dip 10 carrot sticks into two tablespoons of hummus. Go the homemade route and whip up this tasty reader recipe.
3. Make use of your leftovers: Shred two ounces of turkey breast and place on half a toasted whole wheat English muffin. Place two thin slices of avocado and a large sliced strawberry on top.
4. Cut a small apple into eight pieces. Mix together one tablespoon of natural peanut butter and one teaspoon of honey; spread evenly on each slice.
5. Lightly toast one small slice of whole-grain bread. Cover its surface with two ounces of drained water-packed tuna and top with one tablespoon of shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted.
6. Cut one large flaxseed tortilla in half. (Save the other half for your next snack attack.) In a small bowl, mash one-quarter cup of blueberries and sprinkle with cinnamon. Spread one tablespoon of low-fat cream cheese onto one half, then top with the blueberry mixture. Fold and enjoy.
7. Have a quick, colorful salad: Toss three cups of baby spinach, 10 cherry tomatoes and one tablespoon of pine nuts with two tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
8. Mix a half-cup of cooked quinoa with one to two tablespoons of chopped, sautéed onion, one-quarter cup of canned lentils (drained and rinsed) and a dash of garlic powder. Add a pinch of chili powder for heat. Warm slightly in the microwave before eating and garnish with tomato slices, lemon and parsley (optional).

Sue

Winter Hangs on

Argh! It's been chilly this week, not what I was hoping for, gardening wise. I cooked a nice dinner for Bob tonight though, and it was a nice day. I'm trying to improve the variety at breakfast and fix some new and different dinners. I have worked out every day. Today was weights. Picked lots of daffodils for inside. Not much sun today and very chilly.

Sleep well and sweet dreams,
Sue

Outside

I have been outside some of the past three days. It feels so good. It is chilly, but sunny. You have to wear some layers and gloves, but passable to be doing some garden beds cleaning up. Also, I've had some good walks with Essi. She loves to go with me.

And another food to add to the inflammation fighting arsenal: flax seeds or ground flax seeds. Very good for you. Sprinkle on everything you can.

Sue

Diet Dangers

We need fewer omega-6 (from corn, safflower, soybean oil used in processed foods, corn-fed meat, farmed salmon) and more omega 3 as in walnuts, wild caught tuna, olive oil. We need to eliminate trans fats used in "convenience foods" as in margarine, vegetable shortening and partially hydrogenated veg. oils and foods that contain them. We need to eat foods with lower glycemic load as in colorful food: brown bread over white, sweet potatoes over white, brown rice and pasta over white, colorful fruits and vegies, more beans, apples, berries. Buy those blueberries. Eat more soluable fiber like in oatmeal, oat bran, lentils, seeds, and strawberries. Magnesium is good in foods like almonds, cashews, and spinach. Choose grass-feed chicken or turkey (free range) as opposed to corn-fed. All this to less inflammation and (for me) feet that hurt less. If your feet hurt less, you can move and exercise more to burn more calories!

Sue

Foods and Inflammation

There are certain foods that increase or encourage inflammation, or the body to react to overuse or injury. It's a normal thing, but something that if you avoid it, means less pain. You can avoid those foods and therefore DECREASE inflammation. Arthritis is inflammation gone permanent, that is the body can no longer go back to "normal." Bad foods are processed food especially meat. I'm making a list and taking these foods off my list.

I made a recipe from Eatingwell magazine tonight. Very good. I'm trying out some new recipes this week I'm off. I wish the weather was going to be better. Argh! Nice to have some time off, though.

Sue

Calories for Sleep

US Today says that when you don't get the 7-9 hours of sleep you need every day, you substitute calories. When they don't get enough sleep people eat more, about 300 calories more per day. That can pack on the extra pounds.

Hip hip horray. I have a week off!
Sue