Another day of 100 calorie recipes!

Kari started our St. Patrick's Day with Smoked Salmon Scramble--another 100 calorie recipe. She lightly broiled tomato halves and scrambled eggs with a bit of crumbled smoked salmon, chopped green onions, the few leftover roasted potatoes from last night, and a tiny pinch of cilantro. Delicious!

For supper Kari fixed a mild bbq grilled chicken from the recipe book. Her sauce was:

1 shallot or green onion, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 c. tomato sauce or 1 T. tomato paste blended with 2/3 c. water

2 T. red wine vinegar (I don't know if she added this or not)

1 T. prepared mustard

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

I fixed Esther's oven roasted veggies---always yummy! You can use any variety of veggies you like and eat just about as much as you want. For today I used sweet potatoes (peeled and cut like french fries), asparagus, grape tomatoes, purple onion, red bell pepper, garlic cloves, zucchini, and shredded carrots. [I like to add mushrooms, but Warren doesn't like them.] Toss with some salt, pepper, dill weed, and olive oil to coat. Roast in oven at 375 degrees till desired doneness--stir occasionally to prevent sticking/burning.

Tomorrow night we are having Salsa Tilapia (you can also use sole) which is rolled up with a filling of chopped onion, tomato, feta cheese, and jalapeno, and grated orange rind. Cover with foil and cook about 15-20 min. at 350 degrees. Uncover and sprinkle with paprika and pepper and cook for another 5-7 minutes. I'm going to make fresh guacamole to go with it.

100 calorie recipes! Yummy!!

I told Kari before I came down that I needed to eat a lot of fruits, veggies, and protein this week to help me get back on track. I've been gradually getting more out of control since Christmas. We did a lot of walking today---in Walmart, in the mall, at DSW, and at Kohl's. :)

I brought Kari a little cookbook called Just 100 Calories: Delicious and Simple 100 Calorie Recipes by Parragon Books (c) 2007.

We had taco salad last night for supper. This morning Kari made Wake-up Kabobs which were apples, canteloupe, strawberries, and bananas drizzled with cinnamon and honey and broiled for about 5 minutes. Then she put the fruit in a bowl and topped with a little granola and bit of yogurt. We loved the bananas like that! The apples and canteloupe were pretty good, too. We didn't care for the strawberries as much.

This evening Kari made filo wrapped asparagus spears and I helped her make fish & mango kabobs. Kari made kabobs with shrimp, mango, and tuna steak and marinated it with a pomegranite & mango chipotle sauce (got it at Walmart)---it was delicious! She roasted some cubed potatoes seasoned with dill and garlic. We had very filling, yet very low-calorie YUMMY meals today.

Trying to change doctors...

Little did I know that when I made my last post that the bariatric clinic and hospital where I've been a patient was making an announcement that day they were closing due to bankruptcy! Lisa called and told me about it a few days later--rightly assuming that I had not heard about it. The clinic is completely closed and all the patient files have been moved to the Ft. Worth office of a group of doctors. There is only a small skeleton crew at the hospital. I called and requested my medical records from the hospital and from the clinic. Then I called the bariatric doctor's office in Denison and requested to be a patient. Whoever answers the phone (office mgr?) told me that he doesn't take patients from other doctors. I told her that the hospital was closed and I was NOT going to drive to Ft. Worth to see a doctor...and that if he wouldn't take me I'd find a doctor in McKinney, Sherman, Paris, somewhere that is closer than Ft. Worth. I don't know who this woman is, but she gets on my nerves already!! This is the 2nd phone conversation I've had with her in my attempt to change doctors. I have a difficult time believing that as professional courtesy a doctor would really consider it "stealing" a patient when the other doctor is 2 hrs. away...maybe I'm wrong, tho. Maybe she is married to him and is trying to regulate how many patients he has. It is quite frustrating, I can tell you that!

Needing a fill...and not wanting one...

I really need a fill...have needed one since before Christmas, BUT I really don't want to go back to south Dallas to get one...I don't like the drive...I don't like having to miss half a day of school. It would be so much more convenient if I could just run to Denison or Sherman after school or before school. I called the one doctor that I'm aware of treating bariactric surgery patients, but was told by whoever answered the phone that he wouldn't see me. She wasn't interested in gaining a new patient for him, she wasn't interested in helping anyone, and she certainly wasn't interested in good publicity! I'm a bit frustrated, because I really do want a fill on a regular basis.

Life screening...

I've been wanting to have a health screening done for about a year--even tried to schedule one that was advertised about six months ago, but could never get through. Finally, had one a few weeks ago....and I'm fine...not that I had any reason to think otherwise, but it's just kinda nice to know....when one is over 50.

The carotid artery scan shows any plaque buildup and blood flow. Mine was mild on both sides and not affecting blood flow velocities.

The atrial fib screening was normal--nothing detected.

The abdominal aortic screening was normal--nothing detected.

The peripheral arterial screening was normal.

I had a bone mineral density screening done also, but do not have the results yet. As soon as I get it, I'll post here.

Replacing my favorite granola

My favorite granola for years has been Kellogg's Granola Without Raisins. Since late last summer, it's gone missing in my neck of the woods. The website says it's available to buy in my town, but it's not on the shelves at Walmart or Brookshires. I've even looked in Dallas at Lisa's Albertsons.


I've tried about 3-4 different substitutes and they just didn't measure up. I've lived without my breakfast of granola, yogurt, fresh blueberries, and walnuts since September. Finally, couldn't stand it any longer when I saw a shipment of fresh, large, plump blueberries last week, so searched the shelves again for a substitute and I'm happy to say I think I've found one!

New bed!

I love the bedroom suite I have...and got it at a fantastic bargain buy about 4 years ago. About 2 years ago one of the side rails developed a vertical split, however, Steve was able to bolt it back together. Then 6 months later, Gracie took a running jump and thought she could clear the footboard, but instead hit it full force with her chest and did a flip onto the bed...and in the process managed to completely break the side rail away from the footboard. I've had that side propped up with concrete blocks ever since....with good intentions of going to get another bed. Last week the side rails split on the side I sleep on (what's with that? bad wood? cut on the wrong grain?)....I went to Haverty's and bought another bed, however, I bought the upgrade bed which is mucho sturdier---but it was worth the $200 extra (actually less--I got a Valentine's Day 10% off and Steve saved me $100 in delivery fee).

Even though the sleigh style is the same, there are few differences of note: 1) The whole bed is about 2-3 inches longer because it has a different joining arrangement. 2) I'm having to rehang a picture because the headboard is so much higher--at least a foot! 3) The mattresses sit about 4-6" lower--more platform style. 4) Prissy can no longer get under the bed--which was one of her favorite places to sleep.

Thanks Steve for picking up the bed! Thanks Keith, Ashley, and Lindsey for delivering and putting it together!

Now I need a new living room set-- I'm looking at leather.