Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Another Day of Thought Processing

So as the day goes by it is a constant exercise of making the right decisions. Do I always make the right ones? No. I wish I could say yes but what I can say is I make much better decisions. This will be a life long process and one that takes constant diligence.


Obesity Overview

The foods we eat every day contribute to our well-being. Foods provide us with the nutrients we need for healthy bodies and the calories we need for energy. If we eat too much, however, the extra food turns to fat and is stored in our bodies. If we overeat regularly, we gain weight, and if we continue to gain weight, we may become obese.
Obesity means accumulation of excess fat on the body. Obesity is considered a chronic (long-term) disease, like high blood pressure or diabetes. It has many serious long-term consequences for your health, and it is the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States (tobacco is the first). Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 30. The BMI is a measure of your weight relative to your height. See eMedicine's Body Mass Index Calculator.
Obesity is an epidemic in the United States and in other developed countries. More than half of Americans are overweight-including at least 1 in 5 children. Nearly one third are obese. Obesity is on the rise in our society because food is abundant and physical activity is optional.
Each year, Americans spend billions of dollars on dieting, diet foods, diet books, diet pills, and the like. Another $45 billion is spent on treating the diseases associated with obesity. Furthermore, businesses suffer an estimated $20 billion loss in productivity each year from absence due to illness caused by obesity.

Obesity Causes

Weight gain occurs when you eat more calories than your body uses up. If the food you eat provides more calories than your body needs, the excess is converted to fat. Initially, fat cells increase in size. When they can no longer expand, they increase in number. If you lose weight, the size of the fat cells decreases, but the number of cells does not.
  • Obesity, however, has many causes. The reasons for the imbalance between calorie intake and consumption vary by individual. Your age, sex, and genes, psychological makeup, and environmental factors all may contribute.
    • Genes: Obesity tends to run in families. This is caused both by genes and by shared diet and lifestyle habits. Having obese relatives does not guarantee that you will be obese.
    • Emotions: Some people overeat because of depression, hopelessness, anger, boredom, and many other reasons that have nothing to do with hunger. This doesn't mean that overweight and obese people have more emotional problems than other people. It just means that their feelings influence their eating habits, causing them to overeat. In some unusual cases, obesity may be used as a defense mechanism because of the perceived social pressures related to being more physically desirable, particularly in young girls. In these cases, as with the other emotional causes, psychological intervention may be helpful.
    • Environmental factors: The most important environmental factor is lifestyle. Your eating habits and activity level are partly learned from the people around you. Overeating and sedentary habits (inactivity) are the most important risk factors for obesity.
    • Sex: Men have more muscle than women, on average. Because muscle burns more calories than other types of tissue, men use more calories than women, even at rest. Thus, women are more likely than men to gain weight with the same calorie intake.
    • Age: People tend to lose muscle and gain fat as they age. Their metabolism also slows somewhat. Both of these lower their calorie requirements.
    • Pregnancy: Women tend to weigh an average of 4-6 pounds more after a pregnancy than they did before the pregnancy. This can compound with each pregnancy. This weight gain may contribute to obesity in women.
  • Certain medical conditions and medications can cause or promote obesity, although these are much less common causes of obesity than overeating and inactivity. Some examples of these are as follows: 

    Here is the link to which this articular came from:
    http://www.emedicinehealth.com/obesity/page2_em.htm   


    Have a good day. May the lord bless and keep you!

    Tom

Monday, February 27, 2012

Monday in The Rear View Mirror

Monday is quickly sliding by. I have bumped my walking up to 4 Laps which is about 3 miles a day now. Eating going well. Just get a little tired of trying to get in 6 meals a day. But I am taking in about 1/2 cup fairly comfortable now so we are getting there. 

I could not end today without making a couple of pleas to you. First take a little time out for yourself today. Find a quite place and just relax. block out all the chaos and just breath. Second Walk A thon reminder. I am about 190 dollars from goals so please if you have not done so yet go to the link at the top of this page and support my walk and help many others. Thank you.

If there is a topic you would like to learn more about please just comment and let me know. I will find info and post it here.

Recipe of the Day:
 
Beef Tips


Ingredients:
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup 7-Up or Sprite
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
2 lbs. lean chuck roast


Preparation:
  1. Place beef in crock pot.
  2. Pour mushroom soup over meat and top with onion soup mix.
  3. Add 7-Up and mushrooms. Stir well.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. 
  5. Serve over bed of brown rice for best results.


    May the LORD continue with you on your Daily Journey, Walking beside you in the calm and carrying you in the storm!

    Tom



Sunday, February 26, 2012

New Day Dawning / Recipes

Welcome today, I hope you enjoy the recipes for today. It is a nice sunny day here in Western Colorado. Temps have been getting higher each day. We are not out of winter but getting close. Getting ready for another week but should be very calm this week. not a lot of appointments.

The walk a thon is going well. I have a little over $300 donated or pleaded and my goal is $500. So if you have not yet sent in a donation please help out and use this link to do so.

http://walkfromobesity.donordrive.com/participant/tomsimmons

Any donation is greatly appreciated and goes to a great cause. so if it is $1 or $5 or for some $100 would not be a stretch but all go for a great reason. Obesity is a problem and with the help of Walk From Obesity more people like me will receive help and information greatly needed. So thank you. 

Here a a couple good recipes and at a easy level of cook all should be able to do them. Remember my number one rule: Make a recipe your own. As long as you do not delete the base ingredients you can pretty much play with any recipe. take out or add meat, more veggies, nuts. what ever. just take in account the fluid increase such at juice and fat. here we go!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

WILD RICE CASSEROLE

Ingredients:

4 cups water
1 cup uncooked wild rice
1 tsp. butter or margarine
1 1/2 tsp. salt, divided
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
1 medium green pepper, diced
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms, diced
1 large onion, diced
1 medium sweet red pepper, diced
1 celery rib, sliced thinly
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can beef (or Vegetable) broth
1/4 cup cold water
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 tbsp. cornstarch

Preparation:
1.  In a large saucepan, bring water, wild rice, butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil.
2.  Lower heat; cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Stir in brown rice. Cover and let simmer for 20-25 minutes longer or until rice is tender.
3.  Saute mushrooms, onion, peppers and celery in Butter until tender.
4.  Mix in broth and remaining salt. Bring to a boil.
5.  Combine the cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir into the mushroom mixture.
6.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly; stir in almonds.
7.  Drain rice; add mushroom mixture. Transfer to a greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Cover and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
8.  Uncover, bake 5-10 more minutes or until heated through.

AND

 
Oven Omelet
Ingredients:
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup sweet red peppers, chopped
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
6 eggs, beaten
1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded (4 oz.)
6 oz. cooked ham, cubed
1/3 cup water


Preparation:
1.  In a 10 in. ovenproof skillet, saute onions and red pepper in oil for 5 minutes.
2.  In bowl, combine the eggs, cheese, water;
3.  pour over vegetable mixture.
4.  Bake uncovered, at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until set.

So I hope you enjoy the recipes and the rest of this week as it starts to rush by. :)

May The LORD Bless and Keep You Safe!

Tom


Friday, February 24, 2012

Goodafternoon / Recipes to try

Here we are only 5 days away from the end of the second Month of 2012 already. It has definitely been a big step for me this year. I have had Bariatric surgery, lost more weight. As of this am I am down 159 pounds so we are getting to that 200 pound mark quickly.

I had the MRI on my back yesterday so hopefully I will find out next week where we stand with that. Then if all is looking well I will start the wheels moving forward on returning to school. 

I continue to work on my web page but I am finding it harder than I thought. So be patient and it will get up and operating.

I pray you all have a blessed Sabbath day tomorrow and a great weekend.

Here are a couple of recipes for you:
 
Garlic Asparagus

You will be seeing green with this tasty side dish. Transform those scrumptious asparagus spears into a veggie dish that doesn't disappoint. One bite and you'll know this is a keeper.

Ingredients:
1 bunch fresh asparagus Spears
3 tbsp. butter or margarine
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 cup Brown or wild Rice


Preparation:
  1. Melt the butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Mix in the garlic and asparagus spears. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until asparagus is tender.
  3. Prepare rice as directed.
  4. When Rice is cooked put on platter, spread out to make bed
  5. Place Asparagus on top of Rice.

Additional Tips
If you like your asparagus well done, reduce heat and cook an additional 10 minutes.

(Not recommended for Soft stage of Bariatric Diet. May not be tolerated ever by surgery patients.)

AND

Marinated Salmon with Pineapple Salsa
Ingredients:Fresh Pineapple Salsa

1 1/2 c. chopped pineapple
1/4 c. chopped red onion
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 - 1 tsp. chopped jalapeno pepper
1 tsp. finely minced ginger
1 tbsp. fresh chopped mint

Salmon and Marinade:

4 - 8 ounce salmon steaks
1/4 c. light clove honey
1/3 c. packed dark brown sugar
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. liquid smoke
Dash Tabasco
Preparation:
  1. Mix marinade ingredients in glass bowl. Adjust seasonings to taste. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.
  2. Place marinade ingredients in an airtight dish or large Ziploc bag and mix. Add fish and marinate in the refrigerator 4 hours or overnight.
  3. When ready to grill, wrap in aluminum foil and place on grill over medium-high heat until fish flakes with a fork.
  4. Spoon pineapple salsa over each serving of fish and serve.

May be cooked in oven on 350 degrees if no grill available.

Stress Reducers:
Deep Breathing, About 10 times
Taking 10 minutes out of the day for YOU!
Prayer/Meditation Time every day

Words of Wisdom:
Those who have no dreams, have a very bleak life ahead of themselves.

May the LORD Bless you in your journey what ever it may be!

Tom

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Crazy Day

Well I started the day off on the run. I had to be in Grand Jct by 10:45 am for a MRI on my back but the great news is that I am lite enough to do it. :) Now maybe I can get a straight answer on what really is wrong with it. I am making plans to return to school in Sept. If you would have asked me a few years ago where I would be today it would not be having had bariatric surgery, losing weight, and planning on returning to school. But hey it is not my plans it is God's so this I will follow. :)


Never had an MRI before and it was an experience I really would not want again. 45 min of laying real still on a slab with jack hammers going off around you. Yeah! but it will be worth it. I weighed in at the clinic at 415 today so that is officially  156 pounds. It is also officially the litest I have weighed in over 15 years. Yeah for me.


I am collecting for the walk a thon and am off to a great start but really want to reach that $500 goal so if you can please help out. A $1 is a $1! So help with what ever you can.


Appreciation list:
Bill & Donna
Irene
Ron & Lois
Gerri
Roger & Julie & Bible Study Group
Judy
Maria
Gary
Orsen

I pray you all have a great Day Blessed in God's Abundance!

Tom

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

21 Days post surgey

Well I am 3 weeks post surgery and the best thing at this point is 1 more week and I can drive again. I can not wait!!!!

Yups I thought today was Wednesday. Guess I am ahead of myself a little. Any way! Have you checked into the Walk Away from Obesity site yet. Hope so. Check it out if you have not and see if there is a walk a thon or any other event in your area. March 24th will be a walk a thon in Orchard Mesa for all you locals. I hope to see a lot of you there. there is a flyer attached to this blog for more information. It is for a great cause and a great way to get some good walking in also. 

All is going well today. getting my walking in and eating what I should. Drinking the fluids, and following the doctors orders. As long as I stay on track and do not stray I will have this battle on the run. I know that it is a content thought process and physical work, but I will succeed because I have the greatest support system anyone could have. I watched a bit of this program call 600 pound something and it is about people who were morbidly obese and had bariatric surgery. Some of the largest to have the surgery. It was amazing to me at this point that this one guy had gained back 200 pounds of what he had lost. He was at 420 pounds and in a wheel chair because he could not walk. It was a little agitating to me to see someone go so far to give up and start gaining the weight back. I know it can happen but why go through this and then just give up. I hope I never understand. That is that I do not fall back but I do not think I will because of one thing. Dr Hanly does not just do the surgery. You have to go through a lot of preliminary things and the biggest is the mental preparation you go through. Like I have said before and will again several times, the surgery is not a magic bullet. you do not just have the surgery and poof you lose the weight and do not have to deal with anything you did before. As a matter of fact the chance of dealing with more issues are the reality. You have to especially watch what you eat, drink and you have to exercise. If that is a magic pill you have a weird definition of "magic". 

So I guess I say all of this to say this. If you are fighting a battle of any kind you should find help dealing with the mental aspect of the problem. Because in most circumstances it is the mental piece that got you to where you are now. Get the HELP!

Have a great day.

May the LORD continue to bless and guide you all daily. 

Tom

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Good Sunday Morning & A Recipe

Today it is around 9:30 am MST in US and 40 degrees. That is a chilli 40 if I do say so. lol I am going to get some yard work in before the snow flies so I will be back latter to add to this. Have a good day and I will catch you later.

OK so I am back. I have to laugh. I added adsence to this blog and so I get paid for clicks. even when people don't buy anything I get paid just for people looking. Anyway I have had it up about a week I think and have had one click which made me 89 cents. Watch out Bill Gates here I come. LOL

But serious now things are going well. I have lost about a pound a day since leaving the Hospital. I am down to 414 So that is  157 pounds. I have lost one person. Now one more and it will just be me. :)


So it feels a lot colder but says it is two degrees higher now. UMMM I do not know about that. bumped up my walking today to 2.6 miles a day today. The walk-a-thon is 3 miles so I should do fine by then. So have a great day and here are some recipes.




Low-Fat Quiche

Ingredients:
2 oz Low Fat Swiss Cheese
2 cups Low Fat Cottage Cheese (Nordica is what I find works best) Blue Carton
2 oz Turkey Pastrami or a Vegetarian Sub like Wham.
1 small onion-Chopped
3 egg whites + 1 egg yolk beaten with 1/8 tsp salt or sub.
2 oz low-fat cheddar cheese or2 oz 2% cheese
2 TBL grated Parmesan cheese
Pepper if desired. Mrs Dash is a added taste instead of pepper.


Preparations:
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Spray a pie pan with Non-Stick coating (PAM)
  3. In a med bowl mix Cottage cheese and meat or sub.
  4. Place Swiss cheese in bottom of dish.
  5. Pour Cottage cheese mixture on top.
  6. In a small skillet, spray with non-stick spray. Saute onions until light browned (caramelized), Place on top of Cottage cheese mixture.
  7. Pour egg mixture over this, sprinkle Parm and cheddar cheese over the intire quiche.
  8. Bake about 40 – 50 minutes, edges should be lightly browned.
  9. Cool 15 minutes and serve.

This can be served in a low-fat pie crust but I chose not to. 1/8 slice per serving. (for bariatric persons)

I always believe in making a recipe your own so play with this and let me know how it turned out.

------------------------------------------------------------------
 


Vegetarian Chili
(Plain & Simple)

Ingredients:
1 (12 oz) bag frozen Morning Star Farms Ground Sausage
(Safeway has a brand that is not frozen that I find much better)
1 (14.5 oz) canned diced tomatoes (I use the Italian style)
1 (15 oz) can of Dark Kidney Beans
1 (15 oz) can of Black Beans. (can use your preference, Ranch-pinto-chili)
1 package chili seasoning. (use to your taste preference)

Preparation:
  1. Lightly spray Crock Pot with non-stick spray
  2. Add meat sub, beans, tomatoes, and chili seasoning w/ ½ cup water
  3. Cover and let cook 2 to 6 hours on low.
  4. Can be served with shredded cheese, low fat sour cream or sugar free yogurt.

Sore or freeze left overs. Keeps well refrigerated.



 May the Lord continue to bless you each day!

Tom

Friday, February 17, 2012

14 Days Postop / Recipe

We are 14 days postop and things are well. I have started eating soft and mushy foods now for 5 days. I am down 15 pounds since surgery so that is a total of 155. I have my sights set on 200 and will not be long until I reach that. 

My walking is back up to almost 2 miles a day. Getting ready for the walk a thon. That is 3 miles so should be able to do that easy. So I wish you all a happy and safe weekend and a blessed time on the Sabbath with God!

Here is a little fast and easy way to make an omelet on the go go. 
 
Easy & Fast Omelet

Looking for a convenient A.M. offering that can be prepared just about anywhere? This omelet in a bag is everything it's cracked up to be. It's no yolk -- you're going to love this clever concoction.


Ingredients:

2 eggs
2 slices Turkey deli meat
1/2 cup shredded Fat Free or Reduced Cheddar cheese
1 tbsp. chopped onion
1 tbsp. chopped green bell pepper
2 tbsp. chopped fresh tomato
1 tbsp. chunky salsa
2 fresh mushrooms, sliced




Preparation:
  1. Crack the 2 eggs into a large and heat resistant re-sealable freezer bag. Press out most of the air, and seal. Shake or squeeze to beat the egg.
  2. Open the bag, and add the meat, cheese, onion, green pepper, tomato, salsa, and mushrooms.
  3. Squeeze out as much of the air as you can, and seal the bag.
  4. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place up to 8 bags at a time into the boiling water. Cook for exactly 13 minutes. Open the bag, and let the omelet roll out onto a plate. The omelet should roll out easily.

Enjoy. :)

Tom

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Recipes & Update


With summer coming to an end, you probably have an overabundance of zucchini from your garden that you are trying to find recipes for. Or maybe you know someone who is trying to find homes for all of their excess zucchini! You'd be amazed at all the meals you can create with zucchini. Here are just a few ideas.


Stuffed Zucchini
Ingredients:
5 medium zucchini
1/4 c. brown rice, uncooked
1/2 c. boiling water
1 small onion, chopped finely
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 c. parsley, chopped finely
1/4 c. olive oil
1/2 c. bread crumbs (try seasoned crutons)
1 lemon
1 egg, separated
1 c. mushrooms, chopped finely (optional)
1/2 c. cheddar cheese, grated (Low Fat)
Salt and pepper
Preparation:
  1. Hollow out zucchini with a spoon. After scooping out zucchini, chop insides into small pieces.
  2. In a medium-sized saucepan, cook rice with water, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and oil for about 15 minutes.
  3. Add chopped zucchini and cook 5 more minutes. Add bread crumbs, parsley, juice from the lemon, the egg white, mushrooms, and cheese.
  4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place filling into zucchini shells. Arrange the zucchini in a baking dish. Spread extra filling around the shells in the bottom of the pan. Cover with foil.
  5. Bake about 40 minutes.

    Zucchini and Rice Casserole
    Ingredients: 3 tbsp. olive oil 5 or 6 fresh basil leaves, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium onion, chopped 2 c. brown rice, cooked 2 medium zucchini, sliced 1/4 c. bread crumbs (Try Seasoned Crutons) 4 oz. Monterrey jack cheese, grated (Low Fat) if available Salt and pepper
    Preparation:
    1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine olive oil, salt, pepper, basil, and garlic.
    3. Spread the rice in the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.
    4. Arrange half of the zucchini on top of the rice. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and cheese. Spoon some of the sauce on next. Sprinkle with the chopped onion. Add a layer of the remaining zucchini slices. Top with remaining sauce.
    5. Bake, uncovered, until vegetables are tender (about 1 1/2 hours). 
    Don't know about all the crazy lines but still learning how to use this new system. Bare with! Things are going well. I am now down 154 pound and walking 1.6 miles a day. A long wat from that 50 feet in the beginning. If you are just starting take your time and do not get discouraged. I started at a "painful" 50 feet and added a little each week. 
    Starting in April, warmer weather I hope, I will be starting a walk for life program to Second Chance Life.  More to follow. I would urge everyone to join in where ever you live. Stay tuned for exciting info. 
    Do not forget about the Walk From Obesity coming March 24th locally. Go to their website to find an activity close to where you live.  www.walkfromobesity.com
     
    Stay Healthy Mentally, Spiritually, and Physically every day!
    May The Lord Find Joy In Every Step You Take!
    Tom

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Checking In

Just a quick note tonight. My computers motherboard bit the dirt but was able to get it replaced today so we are off to the races again.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

"FATS" Good VS Bad Part 3 / Sunday Recipe & More


So here we are again. We are 10 days post surgery and all is going well. I got a little to much fluid at once last night which was a little uncomfortable but did not last long.  I go tomorrow for my follow up and should be close to eating food again. I was never a real big sweet eater so all the shakes are getting a little much. Thank goodness for soup but they do not have the protein content so still have to get the shakes in for now. Give an update tomorrow on what the Doc has to say. Meanwhile I have some articles for you and a Recipe.

Holy Guacamole: Put Avocados to Good Use

Avocados are an ideal source for healthy fats and one of the most versatile fruits both in and out of the kitchen. High in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, they slow digestion, provide you with vitamins, and can be used for beauty treatments.
Avocados and Your Diet
In terms of dietary needs, you should get 5 servings a day of healthy oils and spreads. For avocados, this amounts to 1/5 of the full fruit. It is a good idea to include a healthy fat at each meal so that you feel full for longer. Soybean oil, olives, and olive oil are other examples of healthy fats.
Avocados are an ideal source for healthy fats and one of the most versatile fruits both in and out of the kitchen. High in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, they slow digestion, provide you with vitamins, and can be used for beauty treatments.
Avocados and Your Diet
In terms of dietary needs, you should get 5 servings a day of healthy oils and spreads. For avocados, this amounts to 1/5 of the full fruit. It is a good idea to include a healthy fat at each meal so that you feel full for longer. Soybean oil, olives, and olive oil are other examples of healthy fats.
Avocados help your body to:
  • Stay full longer
  • Ward off heart disease
  • Create new cells
  • Avoid neural-tube defects (in pregnant women)
Avocados are a source of folate, which aids in the creation of new cells and lowers your risk of heart disease. Usually, women begin to see signs of hypertension when they hit their 30s. Put a slow-down on this by incorporating avocados into your diet.

 

The Skinny on Fat: Good Fats vs. Bad Fat

It is best to get your omega-3s from food, not supplements, Lichtenstein says: "Except for people with established heart disease, there is no data to suggest omega-3 supplements will decrease heart disease risk."
The other "good guy" unsaturated fats are monounsaturated fats, thought to reduce the risk of heart disease. Mediterranean countries consume lots of these -- primarily in the form of olive oil -- and this dietary component is credited with the low levels of heart disease in those countries.

Monounsaturated fats are typically liquid at room temperature but solidify if refrigerated. These heart-healthy fats are typically a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E, a nutrient often lacking in American diets. They can be found in olives; avocados; hazelnuts; almonds; Brazil nuts; cashews; sesame seeds; pumpkin seeds; and olive, canola, and peanut oils.

The 'Bad' Fats in Your Diet

Now on to the bad guys. There are two types of fat that should be eaten sparingly: saturated and trans fatty acids. Both can raise cholesterol levels, clog arteries, and increase the risk for heart disease.

Saturated fats are found in animal products (meat, poultry skin, high-fat dairy, and eggs) and in vegetable fats that are liquid at room temperature, such as coconut and palm oils. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting saturated fats to 10% or less of your total calories, while the American Heart Association recommends keeping them to just 7% of total calories.

Lichtenstein recommends using liquid vegetable oils in place of animal or partially hydrogenated fats.
"There is evidence that saturated fats have an effect on increasing colon and prostate cancer risk, so we recommend whenever possible to choose healthy unsaturated fats -- and always strive to be at a healthy weight," Doyle explains. How fats fit into your healthy diet.

The 'Bad' Fats in Your Diet continued...

We're also hearing a lot these days about trans fatty acids, or trans fats. There are two types of trans fats: the naturally occurring type, found in small amounts in dairy and meat; and the artificial kind that occur when liquid oils are hardened into "partially hydrogenated" fats.

Natural trans fats are not the type of concern, especially if you choose low-fat dairy products and lean meats. The real worry in the American diet is the artificial trans fats. They're used extensively in frying, baked goods, cookies, icings, crackers, packaged snack foods, microwave popcorn, and some margarine's.
Some experts think these fats are even more dangerous than saturated fats.

"Trans fats are worse than any other fat, including butter or lard," says Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit advocacy group.

Research has shown that even small amounts of artificial trans fats can increase the risk for heart disease by increasing LDL "bad" cholesterol and decreasing HDL "good" cholesterol. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting trans fat to less than 2 grams per day, including the naturally occurring trans fats. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines simply recommend keeping trans fats consumption as low as possible.

Healthy Request® Coupons

 

Sweet Glazed Turkey Tenderloins

The raspberry preserves and ginger take the spotlight in this special glaze for turkey tenderloins. Enjoy these little bits of turkey with big bites of taste.

Ingredients:
1 cup of seedless sugar free raspberry preserves
1/2 cup of light soy sauce
1/4 cup of olive oil (cold pressed)
2 cloves minced garlic
2 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
6 turkey tenderloins

Methods/steps
1.     Whisk together preserve, soy sauce, oil, garlic, ginger and rosemary. Reserve 1/2 cup marinade.
2.     Place turkey in plastic bag; pour marinade over turkey. Seal and refrigerate 8 hours, turning occasionally. Remove turkey from marinade, discard marinade; arrange turkey in a broiler pan coated with cooking spray.
3.     Bake at 425 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes or until the meat thermometer reads 170 degrees, basting often with reserved marinade.
4.     Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

Ready in 50 min

3 Servings (6 servings - Bariatric)

Serve with brown or wild grain rice, braised Sweet Potatoes.

 Stress Reducers:
Deep Breathing for 3 minutes
Walking
True Belief in Ones Self

Words of Wisdom:
Words are the most powerful weapon any person has!
A second on your lips can hurt and wound a persons heart for life!


May the LORD bless each of you in your Daily Journey!

Tom

Friday, February 10, 2012

New Recipe and Part Two of "Fat" Gooid vs Bad

Greetings to all my friends around the world. I have a recipe for you today. Now it says it is German Cuisine so to all my friends in Germany please except it as "American" German Cuisine. LOL

Things are going great here. I am walking, and doing what I pretty much want. I have lost 10 pounds this week plus what I gained in fluid. So that means I have lost 150 pounds in the last 14 months. 

Wishing everyone a great weekend and a happy and blessed Sabbath day!


Crock pot Beef and Cabbage

Cuisine:  German
Main Ingredient:  Tomato & Beef
Cooking Method:  Crock pot
Difficulty:  Easy

Makes 7 to 9 Servings

For those nights when you don't feel like cooking but you do feel like eating a home cooked meal, prepare dinner in the morning. Leave this scrumptious cabbage and beef dish cooking all day long.
 
Ingredients

2 lb ground beef  (90%) or Lean
3/4 cup cooked brown rice

2 egg whites

1 onion, finely chopped

1/2 tsp. salt & pepper

1 large head of cabbage

1 can condensed tomato soup

1 can (14.5 oz.) tomatoes

1/4 to 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

salt and pepper to taste

Methods/steps
  1. Remove leaves from head of cabbage without breaking. Add to boiling salt water until leaves wilt. Drain and set on paper towels to cool.
  2. Combine meat, rice, onion, egg, salt and pepper; mix well.
  3. Place 1/4 cup meat mixture in center of each leaf. Fold in sides and roll ends over meat. Secure with wooden toothpicks.
  4. Place rolls in Crock pot. Combine tomato soup, tomatoes, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
  5.  Pour mixture over cabbage rolls. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.


 "FAT" Good VS Bad  Part 2:

But while choosing healthier fats is better for your heart, when it comes to your waistline, all fats have about the same number of calories. And cutting the total fat in your diet not only helps you shed pounds, it can also help you live longer and healthier.

"There is a strong association between being overweight and many types of cancer, especially breast cancer among postmenopausal women, and colon cancer," says Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, nutrition and physical activity director for the American Cancer Society.

"Eating less total fat will not directly lower your cancer risk, but it will help you control your weight -- which in turn can reduce your risk of cancer."


Basically, there are two groups of fats: saturated and unsaturated. Within each group are several more types of fats.

Let's start with the good guys -- the unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats include polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fats. Both mono- and polyunsaturated fats, when eaten in moderation and used to replace saturated or trans fats, can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Polyunsaturated fats, found mostly in vegetable oils, help lower both blood cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels -- especially when you substitute them for saturated fats. One type of polyunsaturated fat is omega-3 fatty acids, whose potential heart-health benefits have gotten a lot of attention.
Omega-3s are found in fatty fish (salmon, trout, catfish, mackerel), as well as flax seed and walnuts. And it's fish that contains the most effective, "long-chain" type of omega-3s. The American Heart Association recommends eating 2 servings of fatty fish each week.
"Plant sources are a good substitute for saturated or trans fats, but they are not as effective as fatty fish in decreasing cardiovascular disease," notes Lichtenstein. Do keep in mind that your twice-weekly fish should not be deep-fat fried!

Stress Reducers:
1.  Place yourself around "Positive" persons whenever possible.
2.  Believe in the "I can do it" thinking pattern.
3.  Take 5 minutes every day for "ME" time without fail.

Words of Wisdom:
"The only "DUMB" question is the one you never ask!
        By: Dr Lovejoy "Walla Walla College 1981"


May the LORD continue to guide and Bless every step in your Journey!


Tom





Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Good Vs Bad "FAT"

 So things continue to go well. up and walking early this am but cold. only 18 degrees out there this morning brrrr. Food intake continues with no problem. Next appointment is Monday. I copied an article from WEB MD to post for some information on Fat. I know you can find a hundred people who would give you a hundred ideas about any subject but I have found WEB MD and The Mayo Clinic sites to be fairly well accepted thoughts from most doctor's and dieticians.


An Article from WEB MD by:


PART 1


The Skinny on Fat: Good Fat vs. Bad Fat

Fat! Would all of our Weight loss  problems be solved if we just eliminated fat from our diets? Unfortunately, it's not that simple. We actually need fats -- can't live without them, in fact. Fats are an important part of a healthy diet: They provide essential fatty acids, keep our skin soft, deliver fat-soluble vitamins, and are a great source of energizing fuel. But it's easy to get confused about good fats vs. bad fats, how much fat we should eat, how to avoid artery-clogging trans fats, and the role omega-3 fatty acids play in heart health.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2005 Dietary Guidelines recommend that adults get 20%-35% of their calories from fats. At a minimum, we need at least 10% of our calories to come from fat.
The problem is that the typical American diet is higher in fat: Roughly 34% to 40% of our calories come from fat. Why? Because they taste so good and are widely available in our food supply. Fats enhance the flavors of foods and give our mouths that wonderful feel that is so satisfying.

So you might assume that fat is to blame for the obesity epidemic now plaguing our nation. Actually, fat is only part of the problem. Obesity is much more complicated than just overeating a single nutrient. Eating more calories -- from fats, carbohydrates, protein, and alcohol -- than you burn off leads to weight gain. Simply put, people who get little physical activity and eat a diet high in calories are going to gain weight. Genetics, age, sex, and lifestyle also weigh into the weight-gain formula.


That said, dietary fat plays a significant role in obesity. Fat is calorie-dense, at 9 calories per gram, while carbs and protein have only 4 calories per gram, and alcohol has 7 calories per gram. It's easy to overeat fats because they lurk in so many foods we love: french fries, processed foods, cakes, cookies, chocolate, ice cream, thick steaks, and cheese.
 
And eating too much fat does more than expand our waistlines. Our love affair with fat has helped to trigger an increase in the rates of type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease.
 
"Choosing the right types of dietary fats to consume is one of the most important factors in reducing the risk of developing heart disease," says Tufts University researcher Alice Lichtenstein. DSc.

May Your Daily Journey Continue and Be Pleasing In Gods Eyes!

Tom

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The Aftermath

Well we are about 5 days post surgery and all is well. I got rid of my little friend, Foley catheter, yesterday. For any who have had one you know they are no fun. All is well I have had no pain, no nausea, and all is well. A friend of mine said she asked if the doctor actually did anything because she had no effects either and I felt the same. But he did and he is just that good of a surgeon. Dr Hanly has been blessed by God with a gift that few people get. 

So as you can see there is a Walk-A-Thon coming up in March, so I will be participating in it. I am looking forward to it and hope to see as many local people as possible out their supporting this cause. 

I am on a restrictive food intake diet at this time. I hate that four letter word. So it consists of 2 oz of water every 15 minutes and then 2 oz of protein liquid . So that is something every 15 min. It is pretty much a full time job keeping track of it. But I am not hungry matter of fact at times I get a little stuffed but It is going well. I have just about lost all of my fluid intake from the hospital so I am down 140 pounds in the last 13 months. It will be exciting to see what the next 12 months have to offer. 

So keep up the good work on what ever journey you are on and I am working on a new project that I hope to unveil here in about 2 months. 

Thank you all for your prayers and support and if there is anything I can pray for you about please let me know. 

May the Lord continue to guide and teach you every step of every day. 

Tom

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Pictures

I was able to get theses finished so here are the newest





 Do not pay attention to date stamp. some day I may remember to reset after changing batteries in camera.

See comparison at the bottom of this page.


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Day Before

I just wanted to let everyone know we have a green light and the surgery will be tomorrow, Thursday @ 11:15 am MST. I appreciate all the prayers and thoughts that have led us to this point. It will continue to take prayer and work but I know that in the end it will be the greatest story of my life!

So I will be back to blogging, twittering, and more before long. I will probably be in the hospital at least 3 or 4 days. Don't get worried if I don't get back to you until after that. I will try to get word through the grape vine starting tomorrow afternoon.


I did not get the information for the walk-a-thon yet but will get it up just as soon as I get it.

Thanks again and God Bless you all.


Tom