Happy Independence Day to all of you! I hope you all have a safe, healthy and happy holiday. Today, please remember to give thanks to the men and women all over the world who are sacrificing this holiday to ensure our rights and freedom.
July 4th, 2008 Newsletter
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About Me
Well, from my end, things are looking up. I am finally starting to show gradual weight losses. I had a three month appointment with my surgeon last Wednesday where he told me I was on track and all my labs were fine. We discussed why my weight loss was so slow and he said that this was all within normal ranges. He said people showing larger losses usually had much more to lose and most were WAAAY younger than I am. He said I just had a real sluggish metabolism but as long as I am losing, all is well. So, I’ll take this as a good omen and “Keep on Keeping On” as Mary O so aptly put it.
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Helpful Hints
Many portions are larger than you think these days and are also larger than the standard amounts for the Food Pyramid. Try using your hands to help you visualize the size of the portions you eat. Then compare your typical portions to the Food Pyramid and Nutrition Facts information on labels of packaged products. The serving sizes given in the Nutrition Facts panel of product labels and the serving sizes of the Food Pyramid may vary from the portion sizes estimated using this chart. It's all in your hands.
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Do This... |
To
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Useful for these foods... |
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8 fl oz |
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1 cup |
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1/2 cup |
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3 ounces |
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One tablespoon |
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Page 3:
Laughs
·
Remember (and this is really
corny) if you drink a fifth on the fourth you won't go forth on the fifth
·
 | The
Fourth of July weekend was coming up, and the nursery school teacher
took the opportunity to tell her class about patriotism. "We live in a great
country," she said. "One of the things we should be happy is that, in this
country, we are all free." One little boy came walking up to her from the back
of the room. He stood with his hands on his hips and said. . . . "I'm not free. I'm four." |
| I don't know who
to credit with the following chart, as I received it in an email. It makes it
easier for me to visualize what I've accomplished, and I thought others might
enjoy it as well.
Your weight loss = 1 pound = a Guinea Pig 1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts 2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs 3 pounds = an average human brain 4 pounds = an ostrich egg 5 pounds = a Chihuahua 6 pounds = a human’s skin 7.5 pounds = an average newborn 8 pounds = a human head 10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year 11 pounds = an average housecat 12 pounds = a Bald Eagle 15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs 16 pounds = a sperm whale’s brain 20 pounds = an automobile tire 23 pounds = amount of pizza average American eats in a year 24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream 25 pounds = an average 2 year old 30 pounds = amount of cheese average American eats in a year 33 pounds = a cinder block 36 pounds = a mid-size microwave 40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of water or an average human leg 44 pounds = an elephant’s heart 50 pounds = a small bale of hay 55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner 60 pounds = an elephant’s penis (yep, weights more than his heart!) 66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year 70 pounds = an Irish Setter 77 pounds = a gold brick 80 pounds = the World’s Largest Ball of Tape 90 pounds = a newborn calf 100 pounds = a 2 month old horse 111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year 117 pounds = an average fashion model (and she’s 5’11”) 118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica 120 pounds = amount of trash you throw away in a month 130 pounds = a newborn giraffe 138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year 140 pounds = refined sugar an average American eats in a year 144 pounds = an average adult woman (and she’s 5’4”) 150 pounds = the complete Oxford English Dictionary 187 pounds = an average adult man 200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds 235 pounds = Arnold Schwarzenegger 300 pounds = an average football lineman 400 pounds = a Welsh pony |
So far, I have lost a human leg. My next mini-goal is to lose an
elephant’s penis. I can’t believe it weighs more than my leg, ...pity poor
Ms. Elephant. HOW MUCH HAVE YOU LOST? Email back and let us all know.
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Recipes (microwave)
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Sicilian Baked Mushrooms and Sausage
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 Ingredients:Olive oil spray 3/4 pound smoked turkey sausage, cut in 1" pieces 3 1/4 cups button mushrooms, thinly sliced 4 cloves garlic, crushed 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons bread crumbs 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Directions: Spray a 10-inch microwave safe pie plate with olive oil spray. Add the sausages and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave and pour off fat. Add mushrooms, garlic, and red pepper. Add salt and pepper. Sprinkle parsley over mushrooms. Sprinkle breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese on top. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Or, place in a preheated 400°F oven for 15 minutes. This dish originates from Palermo in Sicily. It can be either baked in an oven or takes only minutes in a microwave. Per Serving: 68 Calories; 7g Protein; 2g Fat (25.4% calories from fat); 9g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 4mg Cholesterol; 318mg Sodium. |
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Microwave Pork Loin Chops and Applesauce |
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 Ingredients: 1 pound pork loin chops, (1/2" thick) 1 small thinly sliced onion 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup, fat free, whisked together with 1/4 cup water 8 ounces unsweetened applesauce Directions: In 10 inch square glass skillet arrange chops in corners. Layer with onion, pepper and salt. Top with soup. Microwave High, covered, 12 to 14 minutes (rotating 1/4 turn halfway through cooking if you microwave doesn't have a turntable), or until pork chops are done or read 165°F on an internal meat thermometer. Rest, covered, 10 minutes. In 2 cup glass measure, heat applesauce for 30 seconds in microwave, stir and spoon hot onto casserole prior to serving. Per Serving: 150 Calories; 16g Protein; 6g Fat (37.4% calories from fat); 9g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 31mg Cholesterol; 167mg Sodium. |
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Turkey Swiss Microwave Melt |
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 Ingredients: 4 slices whole grain bread 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/2 pound turkey breast slices 2 ounces Swiss cheese, low-fat, slices 1 medium tomato, cut into 8 thin slices Directions: Toast bread in a toaster or under the broiler. Spread mustard evenly on each slice. Place turkey on bread and a slice of cheese on top. Microwave on high for 45 seconds or until cheese melts. Place tomato slices on top of melted cheese and sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired. Per Serving: 199 Calories; 21g Protein; 4g Fat (15.9% calories from fat); 21g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 28mg Cholesterol; 1104mg Sodium. |
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Page 5:
Something fun
Remember when Thelma wrote us, so excited because she could see her toes without bending down? Let’s all follow her lead and give examples of what we can do now, after losing some weight, that we couldn’t do before. We can email out our answers. Tell us, what about your weight loss has put a smile on your face? I’ll start now:
Since losing weight,
· I can climb stairs w/o getting out of breath and w/o pain
· I find energy I didn't know I had, and I love the fact that I no longer have to be a couch potato.
· I no longer have to squeeze into my car seat behind the wheel and feel the drag of the steering wheel on my stomach.
· I can slide into a booth at a restaurant with no problem
· I have a Neck .... who knew ??
· Most importantly, I found my voice, I've found new friends who'll be in my life forever, and I'm healthier.
· I do all this, because I can!
A Few Thoughts:
· First thing every morning before you arise say out loud, 'I believe,' three times.
· We must exchange the philosophy of excuse –“what I am is beyond my control” - for the philosophy of responsibility.
· Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find that you have crossed the mountain.
· Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes it is in the quiet voice at the end of the day that says "I'll try again tomorrow."
· Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow. Doug Firebaugh
A Heartfelt Salute To Our Men and Women In Uniform, past, present and future. You Are Our True Heroes, Our Role Models And Our Country's Greatest Resource. Putting Your Lives On The Line, You Ensure Our Freedom Is Forever Preserved. We Stand Behind You and We Pray For Your Safety And For Your Families. We Thank You! May God Bless You All!
