Dinner Tonight

This was delicious. Recipe was my own creation.

Penne with Salmon and Vegetables (4 servings)

Cut one med zucchini into thin medallions.

Mince 1/2 med onion.

Mince 4 cloves garlic.

Cut one small carrot into thin medallions.

Boil water for pasta in lg saucepan.

Heat 2T olive oil in a large skillet.

Add carrots and stir-fry a minute or two.

Add zucchini and stir fry another minute.

Add onion and stir-fry all till onions are translucent and the other vegs are starting to brown a bit.

Add garlic and stir-fry just one more minute.

Stir in 4 oz smoked salmon.

Stir in 1/2 small jar sundried tomato pesto. Let this wait while you boil 8 oz whole wheat penne. (I like Barilla just fine.)

Stir 1/4 C Parmesan into the sauce and reheat.

Drain pasta and dump it into the skillet, mixing in.

Serve with more parmesan and be prepared to serve seconds!

Location : 7727 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85710,

Good times

Things are going well in Tucson. While it is heating up, now it's time! Now would be a good time to tell you of one of my pet peeves. It is not fair for people to complain when it's too cold....and then, a few months later, to also complain that it's too hot. I think that everyone should choose one. I choose to complain about cold, and to enjoy the heat. :-)

Jack came through his carotid artery surgery, and he's now back to all his normal activity. His scar is hardly visible and he feels fine. The only lingering effect is that his voice is weaker now, particularly toward the end of the day. Vocal chord paralysis is a pretty common side effect and it usually is temporary.

Jack's been doing good work with remodeling his new cottage. Supplies are on order for his skirting and deck, and we're getting stoked to begin on these. He's been working on his kitchen. First, he made room for his range, which he loves for the big and very capable oven. This involved removing the existing stovetop and the drawers underneath. He had to redo the dominate top. The other big thing has been taking out a corner cabinet to make a panel which will accept a wall-mount tv.

I have helped just a bit. Mostly I've been taking it easy-- working on puzzles and reading. This is sort of a big deal. I've just started doing crossword puzzles and discovered that I rather like them! And cryptoquote...and jumbles...and ken-ken...and sudoku, of course.

I've been staying responsible with keeping track of what I'm spending. And I'm maintaining my weight (120) with my good healthful shopping and cooking, careful eating, and daily -or more frequently - exercise.

I am a little frustrated with my body image. I go to buy jeans, like today, and I pick up a pair that is size 6 and look like they should fit. I go try them on and they totally fall off me.

There are two things going on here. First is my messed up body image. I literally do not know how big or small I am. I look in the mirror and see a fat girl. I know that I'm not fat bc all the scales cannot be wrong.  But it is stupid to not be able to tell what I really look like. Frustrating.

The other thing that's going on -- and the dillards saleslady affirmed this -- is that the clothing companies are doing "vanity sizing." That is, they want us to feel good about ourselves, so they make it so that, if you were a size 10 (and you didn't actually change size), the clothes that will now fit are now labeled 8 or even 6. These women told me today that I'm now a size 2. LoL that's just silly. I have not even thought about the nightmare of bra-shopping! Eeek!

Location : 7727 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85710,

Lunch for two

This is a great little recipe for an easy, nutritious lunch or summer supper for two. This is my own creation and I will call it Smoked Salmon Salad.

Put into a small mixing bowl:

2 green onions - chopped

1/4 of a red bell pepper - chopped

2T Shredded or grated parmesan cheese

1/2 t mild curry powder

1/4 t garlic powder

1 T dried parsley

Stir these together and then stir in

1/2 C (about) Kraft mayo with olive oil (or your own fave mayo)

Now stir in 4 oz smoked salmon.

Serve with whole wheat bread rounds, pitas, crackers, or lettuce leaves, and carrot sticks and the rest of that red bell pepper, cut into strips. Yummy!

Location : 25, Tucson, AZ 85710,

Getting Warm

Yep, it's starting to feel like summer here in Tucson! Yesterday we had 101° for our first over-100 day for 2012. This is the second earliest that we've gotten this hot.

Jack finally got the word from his new vascular surgeon that his carotid artery was not 100% blocked, and so they were able to do surgery! I am glad that we found this particular doctor, because he was great. He was excited about operating on Jack, because son in-law Jack discovered that he has odd anatomy in his carotid artery. So Dr. Berens got in and did it just 2 days after Jack's initial appointment -- last Thursday. He ended up putting a teflon graft in there, because the artery was in such bad shape.

After a night in ICU, Jack went back home, and he's now slowly getting back to his old self. The only complication that he's had, it seems, is that his voice is now quite weak. I read that vocal chord paralysis happens in 10% of these patients and I'm suspecting that this is what's going on here. It usually resolves, and so we're hopeful that it's pretty soon. His voice actually seems better today.

Of course now that work on his new cottage is on hold. He won't be able to move heavy things or lift stuff for several weeks. If he could stand it, he could stand by and tell me what to do, but I somehow don't see that happening. ;)

Rainy again!

LoL one would think it rains here frequently, but such is not the case! Today's rain may be the first since I last posted.

I'm doing well and staying frantically busy accomplishing lots. I've finally decided upon,designed, and mostly installed (except for the part that is still on order from Lowe's) a track lighting system for my dining area and art wall. When said part arrives and the project is complete, I'll show you pix!

I've also been involved in the selection and procurement of a new cottage for Jack. The lot just south of me became available and I snapped it up. Jack's new digs will be moving in there after the old cottage is out. They were here taking down old awning and skirting a few days ago. Now we are just waiting for the hum of the wheels of progress.

This is going to be a fun development for both of us. I'm looking forward to not having to drive over to get him to go off and do stuff. And neither of us will have that chilly evening bike ride after supper.

I've managed, over a period of 5 months, to get my weight down to 122.5 -- a loss of 21 lbs of middle-age woman fat I did not want. I did this by religiously young what we all know we should. I've been exercising every day without missing a day since 10/25/11 -- mostly Wii Zumba and walking. I've been eating few snacks, and then it is just good stuff like 14 almonds, a box of raisins, or a carrot. No more random, chaotic eating. I'm counting my calories and keeping track of them, my exercise, and my weight on myfitnesspal.com -- a great free site and phone app which has been a godsend.

Still active in church, singing in the choir and enjoying that. Not sure if I'll be taking part in vbs but we may. I helped with music last year and it was fun.

We've been spending lots of time with Mary, running errands with and for her, taking her to church, and eating fabulous meals with her at Broadway Proper.

I'm spending a little time each day on Facebook. Friend me on there if you want. I'm on there with my first,maiden, and last names. I'll bet if you search for Janee, I'll be there. And I'm going to make an attempt to keep this up. I have loved this blog -- writing in it, reading your comments, and rereading my posts.

Location : 7723 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85710,

Rainy and Cold!

Brrrr! Ok, I know that it's not that cold for you northerners, but it is cold for me here today. It's raining lightly and it's only 50°. It wasn't too cold to hit the Farmers' Market, though! Jack and I went and found some of the most fabulous strawberries ever "picked yesterday" in California. And we got some really good apple cider, too. And red bell peppers and a tomato that looks like a MI in the summer tomato.

Lemme see... what's going on? I did a wee bit of Photoshop a couple of days ago, putting together a brochure for our photo club here at Far Horizons.

I've been cooking, eating well, and staying healthy. I am still doing some exercise daily, without missing a day since 10/25/11. My body pleasure of choice these days is Zumba on the Wii... and the strength/flexibility class we have here at the park. We use exercise bands and big bouncy balls to do various kinds of muscle-building. I take a walk or two every day or two, as well.

I've been eating more simple food, but I'm really enjoying it. Vegetables and fruits are my mainstay now, and I am trying to feed myself adequate protein via lean meats and boiled eggs. I have not tried to completely give up on cookies and such, but I do limit my desserts to what I've planned to have. I won't let myself be ambushed by party snacks and buffet pies. If I plan it, then it's ok. Not planned = not eaten. And I'm not drinking as much alcohol. A glass of wine = 120 calories. I'd sooner have half a cookie! LOL!

I keep track of my exercise and food intake on MyFitnessPal.com and I really like it. I'm going to keep going on there, even after I've reached my goal weight. In my experience, getting to the goal weight is just part of it. Staying there is the rest. We have ALL been at our goal weights at some point, after all.

I have lost a bit more weight. Today I hit 128.5. My goal is 125 and that's when I'll get myself new jeans. I can't wear them without a belt now, and I can actually take them off without unbuttoning or unzipping them! Woo hoo! LOL!

I'm still singing in the church choir and in the Far Horizons choir and those are both fun.

I've been helping Jack some with set-building for the play, but I opted out of being in the play this year. Ok.. it's lunchtime! :)

Celebrating

Yes! I am celebrating tonight! I have been successful in selling my #206 cottage! I knew that the right people would come along and that it would happen for them and me, but it feels so awesome tonight, now that it has happened.

Jack and I went to Anthony's in the Catalinas to dine, using a Groupon that I'd gotten a few weeks ago. Fantastic dinner! We were well cared-for, with waiters for water, taking plates away, presenting new plates, and describing our choices for our next course. We will go back there.

I'm still holding at 132.5, after a day this week at 131.5. I'm still exercising like crazy, doing Wii Zumba, Wii Fitness Coach, and doing the fitness class with power bands and balls here. I'm getting development of muscles I didn't know I had, and I feel stronger. Now I need to get back on the dietary horse. I think that I'm going to completely swear off cookies and baked stuff till I'm where I want to be. The truth is that, while Jack's chocolate chip cookies are fantastic, best ever, I likely can live without them.

But, for now, back to celebrating! :)

Not Obsessing about Food

Getting set to head out to dinner. Jack and I will be going to Sweet Tomatoes -- the most nutritious of the all-you-care-to-eat concept places. My plan is to start with a salad, leaving off dressing and croutons. Then I'll skip the pizza, and instead enjoy all the soup I want. For dessert, if they have something special that appeals to me, I'll have a bit. Otherwise, I'll save myself for one of Jack's chocolate chip cookies when I get home!
I had a great lunch out on my deck. It was 2 oz of leftover salmon, a slice of my wonderful multigrain bread from Beyond Bread, a carrot, a half cup of blackberries, and a cup of skim milk! I love eating this way and it thrills me that I can eat this well and lose weight. And, although the weight loss has been tediously slow (11 lbs in 3 months), I am determined to keep it down this time. I'm at 132.5 this morning, from a high of 143.5 on 10/25/11. My goal is to grow older in a body that's 125 lbs. :)

I'm finding, too, that I'm not obsessed with food, as I used to be. I mean, I do think about it, because I have to be sure that I have the right things in my house, but I'm no longer thinking "appetizer" when it gets to be 4:00, "dessert" when dinner's done, "snack" when it's mid-morning, etc..

Non-food things: Mail came finally, so if I owed you money, it's on the way now. We took Mary to her heart doc and found out that all is well there. After a trip to Albertsons, we took her back home.

The weather today is perfect. Lightly cloudy, but mostly sunny and lovely. I've been watching other people go past on the way to and from the pool. It's not quite warm enough for me to want to go to the pool. I need 80. :)

Putting it away

There are too many things that it took me too long to learn. These usually come crashing over me in one of those delightful "aha" moments that leave us wanting to shout from the rooftops. So here I am, shouting from my virtual rooftop!

"A place for everything and everything in its place" ... We've all heard that one a thousand times -- so often that it loses its meaning. When we are trying to get ourselves organized --and who isn't? -- we need to first have a place for everything. That is a topic about which many books have been written, and about which I could likely write a fetching book of my own. But that's not what I'm going to write about today.

What I've learned recently though is that I'm far better off if I put things away, immediately, where they belong. Here is an example: When I arrive home from the grocery, arms full of purse, keys, and grocery bags, I set things wherever, just to free my hands and take off my coat.

In the past, I might have hung my coat on the post by the steps, dropped my purse beside it, and set my keys on the table. Then I'd begin putting away the groceries. I'd attack the cold stuff, putting freezer things into the freezer and the fridge stuff in the fridge. Then maybe the phone would ring or I'd have to go to an appointment. No big deal to leave the rest of the groceries till later, right?

So I grab my coat and my purse and head out. But wait... where are my keys? Urgh... back into the house, I retrace my steps, ultimately finding them on the table.

So what's wrong with this and why did I feel a need to change? What I'm doing now saves me time, stress, and dignity. What's different is that now I put things away.... where they belong. My coat goes into the closet, hung up. My purse goes into the cabinet in the top drawer alongside my keys. (Nothing else is in that drawer to make it hard to find these things I use all the time.)

I still put away the cold stuff first. And then I put everything else away. Not sort of away. Away. Fruit in the fruit bowl (alongside my fake fruit!) and cereal in the cereal cabinet. Someone calls, I let the voicemail get it. Putting things away is important. If I have another appointment, it can wait that 2 minutes that it'll take to put things where they belong.

And I'll save that 2 minutes when it comes time to leave anyway, because I don't have to look for my keys! My coat is hung with my other coats, so I can easily see which coat I really want to take for this other errand.

The bonus is that, when I arrive home, everything is put away. I don't have to see stuff all over my counters. I do this little thing -- put things away, where they belong, immediately, and my house will always be ready for company. :)

Simple? You bet. But it was a revelation to me.

How I've Changed

We all know how good a cookie is. You eat it, and as you put it away a bite at a time, the sweetness is almost overwhelming. You just want to keep eating them. After the cookie is gone, in fact, you usually just have to grab another! It is hard to satisfy your appetite with cookies.

I've learned that it's very different with a mango. The process of readying it to be eaten is a ritual that takes a bit of time. Then, as you eat it, there is a party that takes place in your mouth. The thing is just a mosh pit of sweet deliciousness that must be experienced to be understood.

But the real magic of the mango is that the pleasure continues. The fruit is large enough and filling enough that it does it for your appetite!

And, as you're eating it, you can reflect upon the fact that you're actually eating something that is feeding your body! Mangos are rich in vitamins A & C,vitamin B6, and fiber...but they are not calorie-dense.

I had my first mango just a couple of weeks ago, and I'm so happy that I got the nerve to try one. I shared that first one with Jack. The one I had today was all mine!

Location : 7677 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85710,