I've Been Gone Way Too Long...

I couldn't write another word about the BFC because I knew in my heart I'd be a hypocrite, and I was back on "sugar".   Think of a junkie needing a fix.   You see I am a carb addict, and after hitting the 5 months, 22lb. down mark, I began to venture out a little here, and then a little there.  I  eventually disappeared from my accountability as a Blogger following the BFC.   It took  five months to lose 22 lb. and three month to go from 165lb. to 175lb. , a weight gain of ten pounds!   Just when I had only thirty more pounds to go to reach my one year goal.   I have failed for this season, and now the road will take longer to reach.


These extra ten pounds are reminding me of why I started the Belly Fat Cure in the first place.  My poor feet are feeling the pain from walking all day on concrete on my job.  I've also gone up two pant sizes since I let go of the BFC.   The little cheats that I thought I could maintain within my lifestyle as a bit of a reward  are beginning to strangle me quite literally around the waistband.  My morning favorite is having a nice cold Carmel Frappe  once a week, and my weekend Fruit Crepes that I feel I can't live without are killing me, and bringing back  my belly bulge with a vengeance.  Believe me tight waist bands are no laughing matter!   Ouch!  It's much better to have pants falling off than to be in the throws of jeans that quiet literally squeeze the air out of you, and grip your belly button tell you want to scream uncle!


 I still remember the rules of the BFC, and half ass follow them, but it's the foods that I am unwilling to let go of that seem to be tripping me up.  I'd like to blame it on my age;  that it is so hard to lose weight!When I am following the BFC  I can lose 2 lb. a week when I'm keeping my food journal up to date, taking my probiotics, and  following the rules of the BFC (as mentioned in my previous blog).  That's pretty good for this ol' gal seeing as how I am too tired to exercise after work.  I maintain a physically demanding job throughout the week,  and a house that demands attention when I get home. 


To make a long story short I need the BFC/Fast Track in my life and I need this great bunch of gals who help when the journey gets tough.  I'm going to try again and make shorter goals this time to see if this helps free me from my carb overloading nature.  Please chime in if the mood strikes!  

The Belly Fat Cure by Jorge Cruise

The basic thing to remember when starting out a new weight loss plan is to keep it simple, so you can work it, and it doesn't get tossed to the side, and neglected.   The Belly Fat Cure by Jorge Cruise is a very simple lifestyle plan when you follow it, and more importantly stay with it! 

The basic thing to learn is this:   S Value = SUGAR.  15 grams daily.  Yes, it's that simple for sugar, and now if you're following me and you drank a soda today you will be  amazed to know one can of Pepsi has 41 grams of  sugar in it!  POG (a beloved Hawaiian juice)  has 38 grams of sugar.  Too lose the Belly Fat soda's must go!

The second basic thing to learn is this:  C Value =  CARBOHYDRATE.   6  servings daily or 120 grams allowed per day.    One serving has 5 to 20 grams.  Two servings has 21 to 40 grams.  Three servings has 41 to 60 grams, and so on.  A food item that has under 5 grams count as 0.

Do away with the "cheat" foods.   By this I mean no Maple Scone from Starbucks in the mornings, and forget the Latte's!   Diet Sodas too,  have become taboo, even when  you think you're drinking a can with  zero calories  because of the Aspartame, or Splenda added to them, along with  other harmful chemicals.


Let's start with SUGAR: 15 grams of sugar is allowed per day. The Belly Fat Cure book has the Fruit listed on page 307. You eat one serving (1/4 cup) of Blueberries in the morning.  You've used 4 grams of sugar, and have 11 grams remaining for the day.    Our daily total is 15 grams, and even better to stay under that!
 
Let's not forget the CARBOHYDRATE in the Blueberry serving of 1/4 cup.  The Blueberry's have a  4/1 value,   4 sugars/1 carb.  You now have 5 Carbohydrate "servings"  left for the day.  Our daily total is 6 servings, or 120 grams allowed daily.

I am writing this today so it sinks into my thick skull as a refresher course for me, since I began with a bang, and now I am sinking, but still trying to swim, and stay afloat.  I've been reading other diet books, health plans, call it what you will,  and I've been taking all the good points and information from them.  Basically everyone who has studied OBESITY in America is saying the same thing.   That Belly Fat is dangerous to one's health, and it effects all of our organs, and it needs to go!   Lucky you if you don't have a problem with it.  I never did when I was young, active,  and had a stress free life, and I never thought I'd become obese either. 
Two areas I am working on this week are: drinking 64 oz. of water a day.
Walking or doing something active for one hour a day outdoors.   I've been on my feet since 4:30 a.m. this morning, either standing or walking for my full time job,  and it's the last thing I want to do when I come home.  But walking is also a great way to lose belly fat, and my doggies agree, so off we go for an hour.

Making Healthy Choices Everyday

Hey rapture people, don't look so sad, it's not the end of the world.  My cousin married a funny guy, and this is what he'd written on his F.B. page today.  Just had to borrow it for your viewing pleasure, because  it made me laugh today.  There is always one person, usually a man, claiming to know the day the world will come to an end.  Even when I was a kid, my next door neighbor had us all  digging a hole in his backyard so he could make a Fallout Shelter, because he believed,  along with his five kids, their was going to be a nuclear war in the late 60's.  By the way, he was a NASA engineer, and no dummy.   Needless to say, we dug the hole 15 wide,  2 feet deep before all construction stopped. We all got back to our lives of  riding  bikes, and rollerskating, and almost always tripped in that big gigantic  hole  whenever we played  in their backyard. 

Looking back in history I have never heard a women make such a claim that the world was going to end.  I wonder why?  And why we're on this subject,  why are all the cults in the world lead by middle aged, or old men?  Why are young women falling for their charismatic (sick) personalities, and joining them in their tripped out philosophy's.  Thank goodness I have a mother, and a father who gave me a sturdy foundation not to go off and follow every Tom, Dick, and Harry who came along with their ego loving, free love, world end's today freedom of speech!  They suck!

Awe, apparently just had to get that off my chest today!

Back to my original topic...I will be following the Fat Flush Plan for a time. I bought author Ann Louise Gittleman book awhile back, and recently picked it up, and read it again    It lines up with the BFC idea's, and possibly Fast Track (but I don't have Jorge Cruise book yet, so I am starting on  this plan for the time being. Her Fat Flush approach is to simply clean out your liver, and clean out your lymphatic system in order to get things moving again.  She claims the signs of a toxic liver are:

Weight gain, especially around the abdomen.

Cellulite

Abdominal bloating

Indigestion

High Blood Pressure

Elevated cholesterol

Fatigue

Mood Swings, Depression, and Skin rashes.  When your liver is sluggish, every organ in your body is affected, and your weight loss efforts are blocked.  Unable to carry out its activities to control glucose, a toxic liver can lead to hypoglycemia, which can produce sugar cravings, weight gain, and sabotage your weight loss efforts.   This being said, I am starting on Phase 1:  The Two Week Fat Flush.  Phase 1includes increasing oil (in the form of flax seed oil),  fiber, water, and exercise.  I noticed eating on Phase 1 is almost exactly like Fast Track is, no unhealthy carbs.

Phase 1

Oil intake:   1 tbls. twice daily of organic high-lignan flaxseed oil.  Omega 3 fat-fighting and insulin-regulating.
Lean Protein:  Up to 2 whey servings,  up to 2 eggs, and a minimum of 8 ounces of cooked lean protein. Protein raises metabolism by 25%, and activates the liver's detoxifying enzymes.
Eggs:  Up to 2 per day.  Support your liver's cleansing process. Omega 3 enriched.
Vegetables:  Unlimited, raw or steamed. These fibrous and colorful phytonutrient-rich vegetables will help speed your liver's cleansing and provide valuable carotenoids.
Fruits:  2 whole portions daily.  Choose from 1 sm. apple, 1/2 grapefruit, 1 small orange, 2 medium plums, 6 large strawberries, 10 large cherries, 1 nectarine, 1 peach. 1 pear, and 1 cup berries ( blue, black, rasp) Natures's natural cleansers are high in enzymes and minerals potassium, and low on the glycemic index.
Cranberry Water:  8 glasses a day.  Purpose: The unsweetened cranberry juice-water mixture eliminates water retention, cleanses accumulated wastes from the lymphatic system, and also helps to clean up cellulite. Mixture:  Fill two 32oz. water bottles with 4 ounces of unsweetened cranberry juice and 28 ounces of water.
Long Life Cocktail:  Taken two times daily: on arising and before bed.  Purpose: to  increase elimination and balance hormones.  How to: In 8 ounces of the cranberry water, add either 1 full teaspoon of powdered psyllium husks or 1 tbs of ground flaxseeds.  Drink it quickly before it clumps!
Legal Cheat:   1 cup of organic coffee in the morning.
Supplements:  GLA  breakfast and dinner, and a daily balanced Multivitamin.
Before Breakfast:  Drink an 8 ounce cup of hot water with the juice of 1/2 lemon to assist your kidneys and liver.
Okay, this is week one and two in a nut shell.    I think it sounds like a good plan to help my liver out since it does so much work for my body.   So I will be in detox for a few weeks, and hopefully my liver will continue to love it!    Has anyone ever tried the Fat Flush Plan by Ann Louise Gittleman?  Love to hear from you if you have given it a go.   Keep striving to live healthy everyone!

 I  read an article today in the  newspaper  about the oldest living person in the world, and she's now 114 years old.  This Brazilian women, Grandma Quinta,  tributes her long life to eating a daily roll with fruit for breakfast.  She has a fondness for Feijoada - Brazil's national dish, a hearty bean stew with various cuts of salted pork meat - and Chicken Empada pastries, with a lot of hot sauce!   She also indulges in a nip of wine on occasion ( I would too for my aches and pains).  She also says she's stubborn, has taken care of her own life, and not the life of others.  In essence, she minded her own business for most of her life.  Go figure!

Trying to Stay in Control

Yesterday (Saturday morning) I woke up early at 5:30 a.m., put  on my walking shoes, and of course, shorts, blouse, and my  hat, and  flew out the door. I was participating in one of the biggest fundraisers Maui county puts on,  the 31st Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk.  This year  2,100 plus people show up to  walk (or run) the 3 mile course.  We all contributed, and  raised an amazing total of 460,524.00 dollars!   My fellow employee's and I walked  three miles for Maui's non profit organization,  the Habitat of Humanity.  Other Non Profit organizations represented, like the Humane Society,  and the Hotel and Resort Industry of course brought in the most money, and basically any business who wanted to  contribute to this huge fundraiser could. They all did it together, and boy, did they ever deliver!   The Aloha Spirit is alive and well on Maui in these tough times!  

Afterwards we met back on the soccer field, listened to Hawaiian music, watched the hula dancers, and ate breakfast.  I had the Belgium Waffles, along with the bacon that the Grand Wailea Chef's provided,   then along comes the  Frappe's from the Royal Lahaina Resort,  and almost immediately I regretted  all that junk that went down the hatch, and getting caught up in all the festivities!  

So today I am on the wagon... and feeling good about the walk, but  trying again to stay in control... 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I actually began celebrating Mother's Day yesterday by going with my very dear friend of 32 years, to a yearly event called the Seabury Fair.  It takes place in Makawao each year at  Seabury Hall High School.  It's a private high school, and  foreign exchange students come and live in dorms, and also kids that grow up in the islands can also attend if they have parents who make a good living, to offset the cost of  their kids tuition,  almost near college level expenses.  

The morning started out with dark sky's, and  heavy showers as we stopped in Casanova's for a breakfast.  I ordered  a Gouda, Sunriped Tomato Omelet, with a slice of Seven Grain toast, and a coffee with cream.  We waited for the sun to come out, drank another cup of coffee, and finally the sun arrived, and with it a strong breeze.  Good for us, but the breeze made some of the vendors tents pull out of the ground, and flipped a few before they could fetch larger stakes.  My friend loves her jewelry, and bought several pair of handcrafted earrings, while I looked around walked out of the Thrift Store with a two dollar top, great for summer weather.   I usually am on the lookout for plants, and a bit disappointed that this year's selection was slim pickings, and the plants they were selling were overpriced, and not the type I wanted.   Last year I bought several variety of Bromiliads, and Catspaw.  After we shopped awhile longer and hit all the vendor's  booth,  we scoped out the live auction (I'm always outbid),   we were hungry for lunch.  We choose a booth that was serving salad with Sesame dressing, and on top of it had a nice piece of grilled Salmon.  Boy, was it ever tasty, and healthy, and both of us said we normally didn't care for Salmon because of the fishy taste, but this dish was so delicious. 

Afterwords, we went to town, literally, and we treated ourselves to our Mother's Day present.  I had a seventy minute body work treatment, and my friend got her toes done,  and got a facial with a Gold collagen face mask.   We are living the pampered life for a day, and it works because we were very relaxed for the rest of the day.  
Today is Mother's Day (again).   Our beautiful 23 year old son called  from his digs in San Fran to wish me a Happy Mother's Day.  He had already put in a call his Grandma (my Mom), so I am happy to hear that.  Afterwords, my husband took me out to lunch, and I ordered a Taco Salad.   It was very tasty and it was served with only 7 chips,   very healthy ingredients made up the rest of it too, so I am still in the May Challenge! 
Now I sit here with dye on my head to get rid of my little ol'  gray hairs that seem to only want to sprout up around the front of my head :)  Oh my.  But it is what it is, and one of these days I will go all natural, but not today!
I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend, and Happy Mother's Day to you beautiful women everywhere. 

MAY WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE

Sometimes it takes a recommitted attitude to challenge us as a group to get back on track, and Amber has set the bar this month.  She's challenging our BFC, FT, and just about anybody that wants to lose 5 lb. during the month of May to join in.   Please let her know you are up to tackling the May Challenge by logging onto her site at http://www.meandjorge.com or just simply click on her site to the right of my page, listed under my BFC Overachievers Blog Role.    Amber just finished a relay race this past weekend that had her running her thin legs off,  like she never  imagined she could do in her life!    Thank you Amber for running for a worthy charity, Organs R Us,  and having a great time doing it!  

My plan is to live the BFC (Belly Fat Cure)  lifestyle up to 3:00 pm, and then try F.T. (Fast Track)  until my head hits the pillow each night for this month of May.  My four pounds have a way of coming and going, and I need to recommit and breakthrough by losing five pounds, so I can continue to my goal, and break this wretched curse!  Thirty pounds to go after May baby!

BREAKFAST:   Protein Shake = Protein Powder,  Strawberries,  Almond Milk, 2 Tbls. Cream, Greek Yogurt, Super Seed, and Xylitol.  Coffee,  1 cup with cream.

LUNCH:  Chili, 1 scoop white rice. (I know, I know).  Iced tea.

SNACK:  Deviled egg, w/ olive oil/mayo,  Mojo Chips.

DINNER:  Steamed Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Zucchini with Feta Cheese.

SUPPLEMENT:  2 Cinnamon capsules  (410mg each).   1 Bone Builder Vitamin D3  (2,000IU),  1 capsule of a Probiotic (8strains).

Okay enough said.   My motto for the May Challenge will be:  JUST DO IT!  Nike you owe me a billion bucks for coming up with that slogan - (smile). We are in this together through our ups and our downs, and I hope May brings not only May flowers, but some downs as far as inches & numbers go!  Good Luck for this May Weight Loss Challenge to becoming a healthier YOU!  Please visit the rest of my  friends blogs to the right of my page, and  read about their amazing transformations, and journey as they strive to live in the moment!  I'd love to hear your story, and add your blog to my list, so others can get to know you. Please leave a comment if you are wondering about anything, or just contemplating on the meaning of life!

What Does Transformation Bring Forth

I was watching Oprah the other day on her new network station,  N.O.W., and it may have been a rerun but she had invited Jennifer Hudson to come on her show.   Most guest arrive a day early, come to the studio to try out the sound system, and then leave to stay in a hotel room until they come back  the  next morning.  The show is taped  in front of a live audience of  350 guest (mostly ladies) at 9:00a.m.   During this particular week, the worst storm in history is headed to the Chicago area,  and all of Oprah's staff are all uptight. Oprah arrives the next morning very early,  dressed down,  with no make up on, and has to tell her  audience, that her star,Jennifer Hudson decided to hop a private plane  right after rehearsals to attend a gig at some athlete's house in Texas.  Jennifer was supposed to be back in the studio that morning at 9:00 am , with the guest seated, but she was still  in Texas, and boarding a commercial airlines. 
If Oprah was mad, she handled it very well, and  when Jennifer arrived at 11:00 a.m, Oprah was like a Mama Bear.  She said, no camera's and headed straight to Jen's dressing room, and shut the door.  Apparently Jennifer apologized on stage to everyone, and said she would never do that again! 

Jennifer Hudson has become a big, fat Diva.  No let me rephrase that.  She has become, a big, thin, super Star who can keep Oprah waiting!  Ouch!

The best part about this show came when Oprah asked Jennifer how much weight she had lost on Weight Watchers!  The head gal on Oprah's staff said, she couldn't ask Jen the number, but talking about Weight Watchers was okay.   Oprah was warned ahead of time, but she probably was still a little p.o. since Jen kept everyone waiting,  Op just had to go there as soon as Jennifer sat her tiny arss on the couch!  Jennifer got that deer in the head light look on her face, and looked down at this lady in the front row. Of course Oprah saw this, and said to Jen, who's that?  Jennifer said it was her W.W. coach.  Oprah looked at her and said, Why don't you want people to know how much weight a person has lost?  The W.W. coach answered, it's not about pounds, but it's about how good Jennifer feels.  Then Oprah, turned to Jennifer and asked her again, "well, how much weight did you lose"?  Jennifer smiled, and said, sheepishly, eighty pounds.  The Oprah staff already thought it was eighty pounds, but no one had actually ever gotten the number!  
Congratulations to Jennifer Hudson on looking fit and fabulous, now come down off your pedestal, and treat people right.  After all, your American Idol fans voted for you, and you sing amazing, but stay humble, and try to remember where you came from,  and Jen (from another Mama Bear) This life is not about how beautiful you look,  it's about how you treat other people.

Good morning, or good evening  depending on your time zone.    This morning I made my way across town with my girlfriend to try out a new breakfast place I heard about from my other good friend.  It's called the Maui Bake Shop, and it reminded me of a little soho shop in N.Y. or someplace like that.  The bakery windows had Neapolitans,  French Apple pies, you name it they had  it.  Lots of fresh baked bread coming out of the oven in every size,  shape, and form.  I ordered my favorite breakfast, a spinach and cheese omelet with of course coffee.  Overall, it was a nice, comfortable place with a very nice staff, and I'm happy to report I was not hungry for anything with sugar in it, even though the pastry window looked divine, and very contemporary for a shop on Maui. 

 Just after breakfast we made our way over to the Maui Swap Meet where the vendors sell everything from clothes, flowers, art, and fresh produce.  I wasn't going to buy any more produce, since I just bought all my staples yesterday at the  Down To Earth 30% off sale, celebrating Earth Day!  I pretty much bought what I needed for the week, and  as my friend continued to shop for her produce,  I remembered  I needed cilantro, green onions, and green peppers to whip up a great salsa,  and use my ripe bag of avocados and tomato's I had bought.

Well no body work this weekend  because of finances, but I really find myself missing it today.   Just one hour seems to  rejuvenate my sore old body, and it puts a little pep in my step that seems to last throughout the week.   My body work gal is having a Mother Day's Special using a Golden Collagen mask with a message.  My friend said she wants to do it too, so I guess I  will call and get us on the books for that day.  

Well,  I am happy to report our 23 yr. old son is living the life in San Fran.  He is working out again at the 24 Hr. Fitness with all the young, beautiful people, and eating Quinoa, and Talapia dinners.  He has always made great food choices but as his Mom, it makes me happy to hear he is living good, and working hard. So just hearing this makes my day great!  Now my hubby wants to go out and eat lunch someplace so I got to run.  Have a great Easter Day tomorrow everyone.

Common Cold Cured by Juicing (I think)

Why did one of my co-workers come to work sick,  after  she downed a few capsules of her favorite Flu medicine?   I know, I know she's used all her sick pay, and she can't afford to stay home.  While I worked all day along side her coughing, sneezing attacks, and had to smell her sick breath!    I came around the corner and walked right through the air she just finished having a coughing spell in.  I smelled that sick stuff,  and sure enough a few nights ago my nose started running, and I woke up  with it.   Luckily for me,  I was juicing for five days previously, I personally think all that Vitamin C, Antioxidants, and my Vitamin D supplement kept me from getting a full  blown  flu bug!  So going on my second day, and I'm almost cured.  I've been juicing before work, and I've been juicing when I walk in the door after work.  I might add,  I didn't sneeze, cough, and talk on the phone,  washed my hands often, and I don't think I kept the cycle going.  I'll know by next week, if my close friends are sneezing. Hehe:)

Since getting this cold the day before yesterday, my pick to cure this bug is juicing;   2 Lemons, 1/2 Cucumber,  Beet + leaves, Parsley, Swiss Chard, and an Apple 2 X a day!     Seems to be the fastest cold I've ever gotten rid of   in a  long time.  Note:  I still ate my usual meals in between. 

Okay, been juicing a total of 9 days now,  Whole Foods first, and then with my own juicer, and I've lost a total weight of  5 lb. 

Also following the BFC with a few cheats now and then, but not super bad ones.   This is working for me, and I feel great!  Well, this is my take on curing the common cold.  My bestfriend still says, it's Oregano Oil!              Go figure!

Feeling More Energetic

Tonight was the first time I felt like taking my doggies for a little stroll up the hill in a long while, so I guess my energy levels are slowly creeping back up.   I began juicing about a week ago, first buying a 16oz. Carrot, Celery, Apple, and Ginger juice from Whole Foods.  Within a few days I bought my own Jack LaLanne's juicer from Macy's sale, and happy I got it when I did.    I paid 79.00 for mine,   it was on sale from 139.00.  My best friend had to pay 99.00 for the same juicer this weekend because the sale changed.   She is juicing too, and she made her first drink yesterday, and said she loved it.  She made hers with a lime, instead of a lemon, carrots, celery, and ginger.  She is diabetic, and the next morning took her sugar levels and they were below 100, better than they've been in along time.

Today we went to Mana Foods and this really nice guy, with dreadlocks was cleaning the burdock roots, and placing all the veges in a nice orderly fashion.  He heard my friend say I should get beets for my juicer, and then he asked me what I've been adding to mine.  He told me Burdock root is a great blood cleaner, and so I bought about five of those dirty white looking carrot things. I bought Swiss Chard, and Parsley too even though I've never eaten them before in my life.  So I either will cook the Swiss Chard or juice it depending on it's taste.  The Parsley I will  juice, it's suppose to do something good for me. Hehe.  Well it's all new, and  it's helping me get out of the slump I've been in, so it's all good.  I needed to find new things to eat, and doing this is right for me.

 A few weekends ago I rode in the car with my friend to the mall where she was meeting her daughter, and they had appointments to get pedicures.  I noticed a sign that read,  facials with  hot stones,  for the same price as a pedicure.   I opted to try this instead of getting my toes done, and it was the best decision I ever made. The gal that gives the facial,  has been in the Bodywork business for twenty one years.  Not only did I get the best facial ever, I was treated to the best neck, shoulder, hands, and face message!   This weekend I opted for an  hour message, and  my angel, Christina, messaged all my aches and pains away that I've been having in my neck,  back, and feet.  She charged me for an hours message, and spent 90 minutes working on everything from my back, neck, arms, legs, and feet.   She's truly a blessing, and a true healer.  The first time she laid her hands on my back, her hands felt like they were on fire.  She hadn't even touched anything to warm them up.  So I know I'm  in good hands, and feel like I have stumbled onto a miracle worker.  

It's a good thing I shipped Plumeria cuttings to the mainland, and earned a little extra cash, because I am investing in things for me lately.   This combination of new experiences seem to be working!  If we can, why not spoil ourselves once in a blue moon.   We are worth our weight in gold!

Getting Into Juicing and Liking It Too.

Today makes my third day of creating a fresh juice drink and I'm enjoying  it once a day.   I add an apple, 2 or 3 carrots,  3 celery, half of a lemon (peel on), ginger (1"), and drink it with a handful of Mac Nuts.  I will count this as my dinner tonight, along with one plain burger patty, because I'm not a vegan!

 I noticed it's my third day of  drinking  a 16oz. juice  using my new Jack Lalanne's Juicer,  and I've lost 3 lb.   I had gained a total of 7  pounds back since I started fooling around on the BFC.  Shameful!    I've been drinking  a few Latte's from Starbucks, along with eating more carbs than I need to,  so what do I expect?   I started  feeling pretty awful again,  like I had the  flu symptoms, but I really think my body wasn't used to having so much sugar poured into it since I was staying under 15g of sugar a day on the BFC for so long.   I've been eating pretty bad for the past month and I can really feel the effects, like wanting to  take  naps in the day,    being more uptight (than usual), and I'm so tired even after I've slept through the night,   I wake up yawning!   Now my bone spur on my back heel started to get painful again, after it was almost completely pain free for months.   So these 7 nasty pounds are my wake up call to go for it again... 

I figure I must be held accountable so this is what I ate yesterday and today.

TUESDAY

Breakfast:     Coffee/cream (unsweetened)    Burger Patty/Brown Rice/Tabbouleh

Lunch:   Salad  (Whole Foods) 

Dinner:  Juiced - 2 carrots, apple, 3 celery, kale, ginger, 1/2 lemon.

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast:  Coffee/cream (unsweetened)   Greek Yogurt, Barleen's Mango Peach Fish Oil,  Flax seed.

Lunch:  Burger Patty on a Rudy's English Muffin with Sprouts. Coleslaw.  Almond Milk  (unsweetened).

Dinner:  Juiced:  3-Carrots,  3- Celery,  Apple, 1/2 lemon, Ginger - 1 inch.      Mac Nuts-handful.

NOTE:   New item found this week at Whole Foods, and recommended to me by a health conscious person. I've tried it once, and it taste like greens, but not bad. It's a high fiber, protein powder  that is soy free, nut free, and gluten free.    It's made by Manitoba Harvest  and it's certified organic HEMP PRO FIBER.  14g Fiber, 11g Protein, and it has 600mg OMEGA-3 in one serving. 4 Tbsp.

Sugars 0, and Total Carbohydrate is 14g. = 1 Serving of Carbs for the BFC counters.  

Back in the game...

Everyday Temptations...Waz up with that!

After work today I went to the market and stocked up on everything that's sugar free;  and organic and this included  lots of fresh produce, such as  Cabbage, Spinach, Kale, Sprouts, Tomato, Onion, Lettuce, Carrots Celery, Ginger, and one Cucumber.  A dozen  "Cage Free" Eggs,  Grass fed Beef, Cheese, Tofu, Unsweetened Almond Milk,  Uncle Sams Cereal,  Unsweetened Greek Yogurt,  Rudy's English Muffins.  I made it out with one large sack, and seventy dollar less in my wallet.  We do pay a price for living in Hawaii.   I could go up the street to my local market, but now they charge about the same price, for non-organic brands.  Mana Foods is less expensive than Whole Foods, and about the same as a Trader Joe's  on the mainland.

Breakfast - McDonald's Sausage McMuffin and a Coffee/Cream (unsweetened).

Lunch -  16oz. ginger, apple, parsley, carrot juice

Dinner - Coleslaw, Brown Rice, Hamburger patty.

When I get hungry around 8:00pm I will have my Hot Tea to cut the hunger pains because I already anticipate my stomach will be growling by that time, because it usually is.

If you are wondering if carrots and apples are high in sugar for the BFC, they are, but  I am trying this out because I bought a Jack La Lanne's Juicer over the weekend.  I wanted to start  juicing fresh Kale, Parsley, Ginger, and other nourishing  items.  It's something I feel I need more of at this time,  and this is why I am attempting a slight change in my course on the BFC.  Plus I heard an apple a day, keeps the Doctor away. I am really too tired lately so this is my attempt at getting some energy back.   I will keep you all posted if I do feel a difference. 

 I thought I would mention  my one food temptation of the day that I overcame because they were really calling my name. I was on my morning break having my one small cup of coffee, and  (not so healthy) Sausage McMuffin, when I noticed I was still hungry.  While sipping my hot coffee the Oatmeal cookies started screaming so loud.  They are loaded with sugar, but they taste so good with hot coffee.   I ignored them all, and walked out the door to go back to work.   My victory of the day!

It seems like everyday we get a challenge to eat something so tasty, but we all know where it ends up, on some of us.  I think I will track these temptations everyday for a week to see how many things I turn down.  I can tell you now it will be plenty.    Have a great week and just say NO!

If I Just Lay Here

I watched Grey's Anatomy last night and their theme song,  If I Just Lay Here,  has been playing  in my head all day.  They tried something new in last night's episode and added music and singing while drama, drama, drama was going on.    McDreamy didn't sing a note!    Maybe he was gifted with great hair, and no vocals, but he is still a top notch Brain Surgeon  (wink)!   American Idol was on just before Grey's, so we had a great night of music!  I'm glad all the contestants this year on American Idol are all very unique!  It gives the show great character.  I also want to put in some props for Jennifer Lopez.  What she says to the contestants seems to hit the nail on the head every time! All and all, it's a fun night in Tele World.

Now getting back to,  If I just lay here...  I feel like I've been running in a Marathon these past few weeks.   From the time my feet hit the floor at 4:15am. I am flying out the door to get to work by 5:30am.  I assemble displays, hang signage, meet deadlines, and finish work around 2:30pm.  When I get home I throw on my other work clothes, and hit the great outdoors.   I started spring cleaning out side in the front and backyard of our place, and this includes trimming, and more trimming since my yard has become somewhat of a jungle, or close to it.  I hate to say this but I've been bitten by the bug again, and so I've been planting, and potting anything from Lavender plants to Plumeria trees. Like I need anymore, hence this is where all the trimming comes into play.   I'm usually outside when the sun goes down, and I hear my favorite show come on, then I race to the shower,  fix hot tea, eat a Rudy's Wholegrain, Organic English Muffin with Cream Cheese, and Almond Butter spread,  and settle down in my Lazy Girl chair.  I put my feet up, and immediately my little dogs jump up to see me as we all fall into our nightly routine,  they chew on stuff and I change the remote during the commercials, and watch about two different shows at the same time.  Then we wake up early all over again...

This week I found a little note stuck to my trucks window in the morning that read, Keep your dogs quiet already, and then a word I can't make out, and po neighbor.  PO must mean, "pissed off", but it really bothers me that I can't make out the word just before the po.   I admit our dogs,  along with everybody else dogs in the hood bark when people  walk by with their dogs.  Unfortunately,  we have a fence that comes  right up to the sidewalk, so all three of our dogs go "NUTZ",  and do dog stuff when they can get away with it.  The next day I kept all dogs quiet, while I figured out a plan. We already use a bark collar on our big trouble maker, but it doesn't seem to faze her, because she still carry's on.   I ended up picking up lots of 2x4 and 4x4, along with three 65lb. bags of Concrete, and Lattice, and constructed a fence two days after this mysterious note appeared on my windshield.  Not bad for an old lady who is thankful to have an impact drill that works.    Okay, now for the good part, it's working.  My dogs have been silenced.  Salincio!  I have taken all joy out of their lives, and restored order to the hood.  It's so quiet tonight I can hear a pin drop, or close to it. 

Well my Lazy Girl comfortable chair is calling me so I need to go and just lay there!  Have a great weekend everybody! 

I've been at a loss for words, so hence no post lately from this corner of the world.   Let's see where to begin.  I''ll begin with the most important person in my life, and that's my Mom.   She had Heart surgery a few weeks ago on her valve, and she was in the hospital for one week.  She is home now recuperating and my Dad is taking very good care of her.  I made the decision not to fly back based on what she said, 'that she would be fine', and 'to come after  she's on her feet  so we can do fun things  together', and that 'she'll get her sea legs back in no time, and feel like going again'.  I called everyday to check on her progress, and about the third day after her surgery she sounded really good.  My Mom said the nurses only offer you pain meds if you really need them and she didn't need to take any, so she must be one very tough cookie.  Now about a week later I hear how big her incision is, all the way down to her bellybutton, and that the surgery took about 6 hours.  Mother's always want to protect their babies, even when the baby is a 56 year old women!  I had no idea from the sound of it, coming from her own mouth, that this was such a major surgery!  Well thank the great Lord above she is up and walking the hood, visiting friends, and chillin as she's on the mend, and is getting back in her routines.  I'm still deciding when I should fly back, and it's probably going to be this coming May.

I had promised a friend of mine over two months ago that I would cut Plumeria's for a huge sale that he is participating in for the Southern California Plumeria Society  in Balboa park  on  April 2 and 3 from 10am to 4pm.   I sent him about 65 cuttings of several beautiful  varieties  I found on the West side, and he will be there selling his wares.   If you want to smell,  see,  and grow a Plumeria check out the location on Face Book under the name of the Southern California Plumeria Society.   It looks like  everyone has a good time choosing their favorite cutting, and getting good advice on how to raise them once you get them home. It's all about getting the flavor of the Islands!  For those of you who live in Snow Country, they need lots of sun, heat, a dryer climate, so I'll post some pictures that I took. Just close your eyes and imagine how a rose, and a gardenia combined together smells, then you will know the fragrance of a  Plumeria.

It saddens me that Border's, my favorite bookstore is closing their doors. Today's sale included  everything from  20 - 40% off on  in the entire store.  I bought my son a journal, and I bought  Taylor Swift's new dvd.   I held the Primal Defense book in my hands, but I decided to wait for it to come down in price by possibly next weekend to buy it.  The shelf still had a lot of his books, and above it was about nine Belly Fat Cure books.  If you live near a Border's Book Store check to see if their doors are closing so you can get some awesome deals. My friend no longer has her job there after they go out of business, and she said she feels so sad because she loved her job! Not many people can say, they love their job!  She's not sure what she is going to do, but has already applied to a lot of places.  She's a people person, she'll land another good job.

Well I've gained four pounds back, and everyday I keep saying I'm going to start over, and stick to it!   My best friend told me today that she heard the best days to start something is on a Monday and a ? Sorry, I can't remember the other day.  So I am promising all my Sista's out there that I am committing my Monday (tomorrow)  to all of you.  Why does sugar keep pulling me back into it's web? Boy, do I feel it too.  My husband said to me the other day, "you better get back into your diet because you were doing really good, and now you can't remember a damn thing, and you're all over the place".   Unfortunately I have to agree.  I might have to go back to the bookstore to get the Primal Defense so I can get a jump start. Aloha everybody, and have a great week!

Tsunami

Last nights news showed the devastation caused by an  9.0  earthquake, the  first of many to hit in one area off the coast of Northern Japan.   Within ten minutes a Tsunami was generated from this devastating earthquake, and sent it's  fierce  waves surging onto the Japan shorelines, which  caused buildings to collapse,  power plants to catch on fire, cars were swallowed up and carried off, and everything in it's path was swept up by the ocean.  Many people are still missing, and it will  take a long time to repair all the damage that has happened.  As we watched our local news channels,  we heard the Hawaiian Islands also had a Tsunami watch and it would reach our shores around 3:00 a.m.  No one ever knows how big these waves are going to get,  by the time the ripples are generated out at sea, and  travel across the ocean to reach our shores, they can be packed with such a force that devastates everything as the ocean waters come on shore.

Last year we also had a Tsunami warning, from the huge Chili earthquake, and as we watched the news, they broadcast the changes in the surf for several hours during  the warning period.   Thank goodness all the Hawaiian Islands were safe, and no waves were generated, only had a slight rise and fall in the tide that we could see.

This year was a lot different because it was going to take place in the dark when it came on  shore.   A lot of people rushed out to the market here, and the drinking water was sold off the shelves within minutes.  People hit the gas stations and filled up their tanks as they waited in huge lines.   I went to bed.  My husband said, "aren't you going up to the store and to the gas station"?  I said,  Nope, going to bed now.   I get up every morning at 4:00a.m, and I have no energy  after 10:00 p.m.  What can I say, I would be the first to parish if a real disaster ever hit.  We live very high up on the side of Haleakala Crater, and the waves would never reach us.  Everyone heads for higher ground, and they drove up here, and filled our shopping center's parking lot overnight, sleeping in their cars with their pillows, as they waited.   I just hope the crater remains asleep for another hundred years, and when the hurricane season hits, our Island is missed again. 

I still showered and dressed to go  to work, but just as I was leaving the news showed all the road closures, and it said the water was shut off (not here), so I called work and no one answered.  I stayed home until 10:30 and then went down when our island was downgraded to a Category 3, and the roads reopened. 

Most of the devastation happened on the Big Island, off the Kona coastline, where most of  the boat harbors are.  As the oceans surged,  many boats broke loose of their moorings,  and they were swept out to sea, but then the surge brought them in again, and they were hitting all the boats still tied to the docks.  Beautiful large boats, and some had people sleeping in them.  People were standing on the docks yelling at the  boat owners to wake up and get off their boats.  One couple ran off  their boat,  and jumped onto the dock just as their boat  was being smashed by another one.

This is my third Tsunami warning that  I've experienced since 1979 after moving to Hawaii.  I have only seen the black and white photo's of the worse waves  that ever came ashore with such force. I think it happened in 1946, and another hit in 1960, and that one  killed 64 people in Hilo.   The biggest waves I've seen are on our North Shore, at a place called Jaws.  Only the elite surfers go out, and they are pulled up on to the wave by a jet ski.  The face of these waves are twenty plus feet.  Can you imagine what a Tsunami  wave looks like, as it continues with it's huge wall for miles before coming on shore with all it's  power?   I hope I never see one that size, ever!    Thanks Sherri for checking in on me.  Our beautiful island is still intact!

CLIMBING TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

My lofty goal for my Birthday was to weigh in a good deal lighter, but as of mid-February I was struggling with the BFC lifestyle, and I decided I would loosen up the strings a bit!  Whoa!  Too much were loosened and I gained a few too many pounds back,  so today I am rededicating myself to losing my next twenty pounds! 

Everyday I am faced with unhealthy food choices (bad carbs) , and seeing that I have stopped  writing in my food journal,  taking my probiotics, walking, and in general, eating items outside the approved BFC lifestyle,  it's beginning to show again on my hips, my stomach, and I see a little more fat under my chin! Oh MY!

I think the reason why I was getting tired of following the BFC lifestyle after 5.5 months, is because I am not a very good planner.  I have always lived by the seat of my pants, and I just go.  I think to be successful on the BFC it takes planning on all levels.  Take grocery shopping for example, when I began the BFC on July 1,  I whipped up a routine of shopping on Saturday's. I started the morning out by buying my fresh vegetables,  then I would  get my eggs, cheese, meats, and other necessary BFC items, like Vitamins, Fish Oil... Lately however, I am not following my routine, and I am running low, or out of the items I normally keep on hand.  Thus causing me to rummage through my fridge, and it's not all good if you know what I mean. Too much Naan bread is not a good thing.

I know Jorge says you don't have to exercise to lose weight on the BFC, but personally I've found walking on a daily basis is one key that helps speed up the process of weight loss.  I've noticed because I'm not into my walking routine everyday after work, my weight is coming back with a vengeance.

I was shopping in Whole Foods yesterday, and one of the Sales Associates (my age group)  said she lost twenty pounds last year, and then she said she gained it all back this year.  I asked her what caused her to regain her weight, and she said, "I love my carbs", and that's the same as saying I love my desserts, sugar, breads, milk, my morning Frappe's.  You get the picture...

Well,  upon leaving the store I felt like this was a little sign from up above telling me, if I'm not careful I too can gain it all back.  It took me month at my age to lose weight, and I don't want to start at square one, so today I am going to start climbing the mountain to get to the top!  If I slide down the hill, it won't be to the bottom,  a few feet or two is all I'll allow  myself before I wake up and start again.

I have read on Rosalie's blog that she stops eating carbs after 3:00 p.m., which is a very helpful tip, she is amazing and our fearless leader!  Helen is  a dynamo on her routines, and has the stuff to never waiver.  Sherri  has the taste of victory and wants to walk in those lower digits so bad.  Diana, your big heart will carry you there! Lindsey and Katie, thank you for your fresh input, and your practical advice, and support. I love it when Lisa chimes in now and again, because she has made the top, and understands.  Girls keep blogging about the most beneficial things you do to lose weight.  We can all be successful and reach the top of this monumental mountain with a little help from our friends.   

To Sun or Not to Sun that is the Question

Today I finally visited my Dermatologist,  and why is it men don't seem to age?  My Doc was always a  handsome man even twenty five years ago when I first started visiting his office. Today I told him he looked younger  than he did  the last time I saw him.  Seven years ago was my last visit!    He replied,  "you just need stronger glasses that's all",  and we laughed as he got that little twinkle  in his eye!   A real "Charmer" that one, as he held the little Q tip dipped in ice and  touched it's tip to several spots on my face.  It felt like the freezing cold tip of an ice berg  as he held it in place for several seconds, before moving on to do a few more.  He also said I had some barnacles, but not to worry about them, they were harmless! 

Why do barnacles like to attach themselves to my Irish skin anyways?  I can thank my Irish father for he and I have the same type of skin, and my English, German, MuM  was born with  smooth, beautiful skin.  Of course, she would swim in our pool with a hat on, and never went out in the sun without sunscreen (after it was invented), but my silly Dad and I love the sun, and  we'd go out in it all day long,  ala natural, meaning no sun block whatsoever.   Dummies!

Results:   I'm getting a little something on my back biopsied and I'll need to call my Doc's office on Thursday to check on it.  If it's something I'll have to go back to (my Cutie Pie's) office and get it cut out , and stitched up.  Won't be the first time I had a little something taken off, by one of the best Dermatologist on this Rock, and  so I'm in good hands.  With all the sun lovers here, he is up to his cute, twinkling eyeballs with patients that have had too much sun exposure over their life times.   I told my own son, to study Dermatology, and  to open a practice here in the islands because he would do very well.   His reply, "No way, I wouldn't want to look at someone's  moles all day long".  Okay, so it's not for everyone! 

I hope everyone has scheduled an appointment with your Doc this season, because it's very important to stay current.  I no longer have the luxury of lounging in the sun like a lizard on a rock, but I do take Vitamin D, since Dr. Oz said that it's one of the most important supplements we need to take on a daily basis.  The Great Oz has spoken.
Have a great week everybody!

Keep Trying Until You Get It Right!

Lately I've found a common thread to my weight gain of five pounds. SUGAR!  Yes, it's slipping in through the crevices of the damn I've built over the past 33 weeks.  I've  put one finger in the spot to plug it up!   My brain is the plug, it screams,  STOP, SUGAR,  but lately my fingers reach for it, and my hands are in control .   I've been ordering non sweetened ice tea from Mac Donald's on my morning breaks, but now a few Carmel Lattes are seeping into my morning routine.   Diet Soda and my favorite Dr. Pepper have been a thing of the past for months now,  but  these too are gradually making their way into my hands when I get to the  movie theater. Even while watching the latest Jennifer Aniston's  flick,  I'm watching her and I'm a little envious, okay a lot envious!  Her  physical beauty radiates health,  and she is in the best shape of her life from all appearances.  I am thinking these thoughts while watching her on the big screen, and  drinking my Diet Soda, and the scale continues to creep back up.   I rationalize it by saying to myself, "it's only Diet Pepsi", but I know better.  It's not that it has ZERO calories in it, and no sugar either, but it's the fact that my brain is screaming out, WHAT - THIS STUFF IS POISON!  It has very bad chemicals in it, and absolutely no nutritional value whatsoever.  Why are you putting it back into your body?   Knock, knock, anybody home!

I've learned a big lesson here, it's to obey my mind, and keep my hands in my pockets.

 I suppose I've been over eating again as well, but not so much  with  bad foods, more BFC than anything else, but just a few minor  miscalculations, and the scale continues to rise.   I  have  proven  to myself that I can  lose 2 lb. a week without much effort, and sacrifice when I'm not fudging  it.  It's been fairly easy up to this point,  but what has changed my efforts?   It's the little things that disrupt my good eating habits, and throw me into  tail spins each time.  I start to have success and then fall flat on my face.  My girls (you) always say, we can do this, just pick yourself up, and dust yourself off, and continue on.   I agree whole heartily Sisters!  Your words stick with me, and stay in my heart, and that's what I am trying to do, again and again.  I will keep trying until I get it right, even if I am a slow learner, and I hit a few bumps along the way. Tomorrow is a new day!

Didn't Drop Off The Face Of The Earth

This computer chair has been my butt's best friend for over a  few weeks now as  I arrive home from work and begin searching  the  car adds on  Craigslist, and other search engines for hours.  Today my husband and I spent the whole day test driving Pre-owned vehicles all over this frigging island, and  drove back to our home more confused than ever.  He started out liking the Mini Coopers, and this phantom,  silver Honda 2000s that sounds like a pretty good deal,  but I'm not even sure the women who advertised it, still owns it.  I on the other hand,  am  leaning towards getting a Toyota Rav4, or a Convertible Volkswagen.   So you can see where this is going... we rarely agree on anything.  If we lived in Honolulu  I know we'd be driving around in a Pre-owned vehicle by now since they have so many car lots, and that island is more populated. I've found so many great deals in their adds already, but arranging shipping, and flying over takes time I just don't have.    Maui cars have high mileage, and today at one car dealer, I  saw a rear bumper with at least six bullet holes  in it.  That car must have been purchased  from the  Los Angeles Auctions!

We are still sharing one ride, and sorting through our appointment times, and work schedules, and it has been a little nerve racking getting the car back so the other one can drive off again.  I've packed on  five pounds, due to having  this chair stuck to my behind for over the past few weeks, as  I search for the best ride, the best mileage, the biggest bang for our buck, as  my little dogs continue to chew their  Nyla bones below,  waiting for the day they will get to go  for a walk up the hill.   Tomorrow is Sunday, and we are going out again to see a few more cars, Yippee!  BTW:  All you girls look terrific who are sticking with the BFC lifestyle, and not fudging over the fudge.  Good Night Moon!

The Second Time Is Better

My first attempt to try the Women Over 40 Menu for one week  began on the the 18th of January and ended seven days later.   I celebrated a two pound loss.   By February 1st I stepped out of bed and onto the scale and weighed  169.4.  OUCH!  A gain of  4 pounds in  six days, is this possible?  Apparently so, and so ends my depressing month of January!   I could say, another New Years resolutions winds up in the trash, but then I'd be telling a little white lie, because I know better than to make a N.Y. resolution.   Remember when I said I was going to keep it simple stupid (KISS), and I went back to the basics with this menu, that just so happens to work for me.  It's so simple a caveman can do it.  No offense to cavemen if you happen to read blogs and all.  So a second attempt is made, just like I've made the attempt to be funny, and in case my little joke doesn't go over well,  I'm sorry.  In any case just laugh anyway because it does the body good!  I'm going to practice what I preach for this month of February since January was not so red hot and I didn't laugh much. 

Now my second attempt begins  on February 1.  Following the Jorge Cruise's menu for Women Over 40 again.   My start weigh is  169.4,  and  seven days have passed and  I am again seeing a nicer number on the scale of 167.6.  BREAKTHROUGH!  Dance, Dance, Dance...   Another loss of 2 pounds, and still I am not at my lowest weight since I began the BFC.   The only difference now is  I have more confidence to follow the path of least resistance;  a simple menu plan with a few tweaks here and there,  and a few BFC friendly additions.  Keeping the very basic BFC nature in it works!  It's easy to follow, and hopefully next week I can say I lost those "two rebounding pounds"!  I am ready to take a new step into  The Land Forgotten!  I hope I remember what curves feel like once I travel that far in.  What's it going to feel like to have a flat tummy Oh My!