yummiest smoothie EVAR!

OK, maybe not ever.  But, it's pretty darn good.  I think I've finally found a good, basic recipe that I can use with whatever fruit is on hand.  The key ingredients are Greek yogurt, egg-white protein powder (doesn't have that awful aftertaste), and just a smidgen of liquid.  I use frozen fruit and was having a problem with it turning into "ice cream" instead of a drink.  2 oz. of apple juice or Naked Protein Zone helps keep it liquid-y.

6 oz Vanilla Greek Yogurt (or plain+1 tsp agave nectar)

1/2 scoop unflavored egg-white protein powder

1 tsp flax oil

1/2 frozen banana

1 cup frozen mixed fruit

2 oz Naken Protein Zone (flavor depends on what fruit I've used)

This morning I used frozen mango & pineapple and used the Mango Protein Zone.  Last night I had blueberry & cantaloupe with the Mixed Berry Protein Zone.  

And here's the best part...32 grams protein!!!

2.25+3.0+1.5=

6.75cc's in mah belly! Fill was agressive & Dr. Lin considered taking some back, but finally decided to let me try it out. I had to promise to do liquids through the end of the weekend. Right now, I'm gurgling from the barium swallow.

Chicago Part Deux

I fear this may be a bit of a let down for you guys after all of the build up.  Let's just say that I ran out of steam.  Plus,  I had a hard time getting what was in my head (and my heart) to make sense on paper.  So, here's the "epiphany" in bullet formation:

• I am too sensitive.
• I am much more introverted than I thought I was.
• I do not perceive myself the way others perceive me.
• My perception of the way others perceive me is not actually the way others perceive me.
• People like me a lot more than I generally think they do--even when I'm being shy. [insert big grin here]

po-tay-to, po-tah-to...

So far, I have been pleased to find that there haven't been any foods that I can't tolerate...until recently.  It seems that potatoes are becoming a problem food for me.  While I've experienced some painful moments with many different foods (due to not chewing thoroughly and eating too fast), I experienced my first PB a few weeks ago off of tater tots.  Then again last week--french fries.  And again a few days ago--roasted baby red potatoes.  Because I'm stubborn (and I love them), I'll have to see what happens with a baked potato.  I do not want to make a habit of the PB thing.  So sad to say farewell to my beloved friend.

fill 'er up....

Fill #3 finally scheduled for next week (Thursday, October 28).  It seems that #3 is the magic number for many people.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!


Cheers!

quickie about B.O.O.B.s t-shirts...

Did anyone else notice that the BOOBs t-shirts were manufactured by "Port & Company."  How appropriate!  I got a kick out of that. :)

PICTURES: how i spend my time while i'm [NOT] losing weight...

Weight loss is slow-to-non-existant these days...1.5 lbs since August 26.  As I've mentioned before, it's really difficult to get timely fill appointments.   Also, I know that I still owe y'all "My Chicago Epiphany (Part 2b-The Revelation).  But, that post is kind of emotionally heavy and I just needed to focus on other things for a while.

I've been taking a beginner digital photography class on Monday mornings(Photography 101 @ The Showcase School).  My instructor, Jeff Woodlee, is just great!--a great photographer and a great teacher.  I have completed 4 weeks of the 6 week course.  Just to show off what I've learned, here are a few shots that I took @ the Atlanta Botanical Gardens this morning.  Enjoy!

PS  Apparently I like taking pictures of bees. ;)

my Chicago Epiphany (Part 2a)...

At the end of Part 1, I had just overheard an unflattering conversation about myself.  How did I respond?--I shut down and hid.  I was deflated and embarrassed and just couldn't bring myself to go back out there.  My already fragile ego was shattered.  I took put on my PJ's, took and Ambien and went to bed.

The next morning, I turned to food and ate a bag of popcorn for breakfast.  I decided to lick my wounds and spend the morning alone--mostly because I had hidden the night before and didn't know how to find anyone else.  It was a nice, peaceful morning.  I spent the afternoon shopping with Rani--all the while trying to avoid other B.O.O.B.s.  

I basically didn't really put myself out there the rest of the weekend.  I showed up to events and even had some great conversations.  But, I didn't open up.  I had what I call "customer service" conversations.  I was friendly;  I told some stories; I laughed a little and even cried once.  But,  I had a wall up and didn't allow my true self to show.  I was myself, but just dimmed.

I had a nice weekend--but it was just "nice".  I absolutely love Chicago and was thrilled to be back!  But, because I held myself in check, I didn't make any of the "BFF" connections that some  others have talked about.  I feel like I missed out and I have only myself to blame.

As you all know, it took me a while to really process all of this.  I was so emotionally drained when I got home that I slept for most of the next day.  Then I read some blogs and started realizing something....everyone else is not as obsessed with me as I am with myself.  I also realized, eventually, that I have a problem with perception.  Not just with my perception of myself.  But, more importantly, with my perception of how other people perceive me.  (yes, I know that's a bit of a tongue twister) 

More on that in Part 2b.

My Chicago epiphany (Part 2 teaser)...

...perception.


PS  Is it just me, or does that word look really strange when you type it all by itself.  I must have spell-checked 10 times before posting. 

house guests, my dad & part 2 (delayed)...

I don't mean to keep y'all in suspense, but Part 2 won't be coming until next week.  We have a house guest coming in from Detroit for the weekend.  There are still a few "finishing touches" for the house and then it's Hostess time for a while.

For those of you who have asked, my dad is doing great!  (For those who don't know, my dad was in the ER on the Wed. before BOOBs and got a pacemaker as I was boarding the flight to Chicago on Thursday.  He told me he'd never speak to me again if I post-poned my trip...so I went)  His incision sight is still sore, but the swelling is going down.  He looks better than he has in several years.  His face isn't swollen; his eyes & mouth aren't droopy; his coloring is healthy; and he's smiling a lot more.  He's always been quick-witted and that had been slipping (we were concerned about Alzheimer's since it runs in the family).  Well, his wits are back!  He's made some pretty wicked-witty comments lately!

So, look for Part 2 early next week.  And--thank you for all the comments on my Part 1 post.  Maria---that shirt is yours (as soon as I'm finished with it)!

My Chicago epiphany (Part 1)...

I'm glad I went to Chicago.  I met some amazing people and even made (I hope) some new friends.  I don't regret anything and would do it again in a heartbeat.  Having said that, I will admit that it was a difficult weekend for me.  More difficult than I ever would have imagined.  There was an "incident" and a "revelation"...

It wasn't a true incident.  I will freely admit that it existed mostly in my own head.  But, since I live in my head, it wound up having a profound effect.  

I want to state up front that I will not name names.  The "who" is not important.  The "who" did not mean for their comments to throw me into this internal tailspin.  In fact, what was said was not meant to be cruel and they did no wrong by saying it.  But--I'm getting ahead of myself.  Here it goes...

I overheard a conversation about me.  In this conversation, I heard two things that bothered me:

1. I was described as being the "bigger" of the two Li[y]ndas.  Granted, this is a true statement.  You might even call it a fact.  I understand that telling us apart could be confusing since we both have dark hair about the same length (with bangs, even).  But, I'm taller; I was wearing a green/blue tye-die-ish shirt; I  have a Southern accent; (psst...I'm in the next room).  Nope, none of these served to distinguish.  It was my weight that stood out.  Needless to say, I was mortified to hear (especially among a group of people who are/were "fat") that my size was how people were telling us apart.  
2. I also heard that I was "wasted" and that there was no need to make an effort to meet me since I "wouldn't remember" it anyway.  I will admit that I did say to a few people "I'm drunk" or something along those lines.  Let me explain...I don't really drink.  I used to drink, but not-so-much for the last several years.  I was tipsy after only 1 glass of wine and was surprised by it...thus my exclamation of "drunk"-ness.  I was trying to be friendly & funny.  It's a bit embarrassing that this behavior was mis-construed as being "so wasted that I wouldn't even remember talking to people."  I know I am the one that used the term "drunk"--but was I really acting that way?  I know I wasn't stumbling; I know I wasn't slurring my words;  I don't look drunk in the pictures I've seen.  Let's just say that it was a blow to my ego that my efforts to be outgoing were ridiculous enough that people believed I was on the verge of passing out.

Now, there's no need for outrage.  I repeat...no need for outrage.  I present the details of the conversations just as a means of background--setting the stage for the real story.  And, there's a bit of catharsis in the telling of it.  

If you were part of this conversation, there's no need to "fess up" or even apologize.  I hold no grudges. And, while these comments were unflattering, there was no malice in them.

I think this is all I'm up for today.  In Part 2 I will talk about the  Real Story--which is my reaction to the conversation and, more importantly, what I learned about myself as a result.

Cheers!