Eco and Band Friendly Product Endorsement...

I really like the convenience and the comfortable feel of most 16.9oz. bottled waters.  Even though I have several re-fillable hard plastic water bottles, I often find myself grabbing the disposable ones because they feel better in my hand; they fit better in my car cups; and the cap comes all the way off and doesn't bop me in the eye whenever I take a sip.  However, I'm really trying to focus on being more environmentally responsible and filling my recycling bin with disposable plastic water bottles just isn't the way to accomplish that.  

So, I scoured the InterWebs and finally found these Aquasana 18oz. glass water bottles. They arrived last week and I LOVE THEM!!!  They are similar in size and shape to the disposable plastic bottles that I so enjoy.  I think the 18oz size is just the right amount for a glass bottle which tends to be heavier.  The design is sleek and modern and the glass chills the water perfectly!  Plus, there's none of that "after taste" that you get so often from the stainless steel alternatives.  

The cost is about $20-$25 for 6.  It's not cheap, but just think about all of those plastic bottles that won't be thrown away in your bin!  And, no worries about BPA or any other "plastic" contamination.  And, they are 100% dishwasher safe!(I got mine from Amazon where there is free shipping if you're a Prime member.)

Happy drinking!

NSV for meeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

I was @ Sam's today and wound up browsing in the clothing section.  I spied some long sleeve t-shirts and went over to grab a couple (one of my favorite cold weather styles is a long-sleeved t-shirt under a short-sleeved shirt of some king).  Well, I could't find one that fit--they were all 2XL and I needed a regular XL (or so I thought).  So, I went over to scope out a lavender & cornflower striped Izod that had caught my eye.  I couldn't find an XL at first so I tried on the 1X...too big.  I finally found an XL and tried it on...too big.  What?!?!?  Yep, I would up with the L.  [insert big-ass goofy grin here.  and a little bit of dancing.]

a quickie with bullets & minimal substance...

• Things are good.  
• Lovin' my un-fill!  
• Cut off a chunk of my fingertip with my new Global knife that I got for my birthday.  It was the first day of the SouthEastern Snowpocolypse.  I couldn't go to the doctor. It's healing.
• Went a little crazy when I found my husband's stash of Oreos and Swiss Cake Rolls.  It's out of my system, now (in more ways than one-ewww!).
• About to try baking the first loaf from my other birthday present Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day.
• I would cross my fingers, but it kinda hurts (see above).
• Murphy (the Welsh Terrier) loved the snow!  He's over it, now (I am, too).  We want to go outside and play fetch but the ball just keeps getting stuck in the snow. So, we just rolled around in it instead.  His rolling was on purpose.  Mine wasn't. ;)
• Finalizing plans for NYC in February.  We're going to the Westminster Dog Show!
• Planning to write a "meatier" post next week. 

Cheers!

i ate food!!!

It was real food and I chewed it and I swallowed it and guess what?  It stayed down!  And then I wasn't hungry for a while.  And then I did it all over again.  And now everything is right with the world.  Carry on.

-1...

...cc's!!!  I saw the new doctor today and I love him!  And, I love his staff!  And, he took 1cc out of my band and I feel marvelous!  

I will go back in 6 weeks for him to check things out under the fluoroscope.  What a great start to the new year.

Me likey!

Mind-ful...

Last year, many people chose a "word to live by" for the new year.  I didn't--and I think I really missed out.  So, this year I have chosen my word:

Mind-ful

(having a careful, deliberate manner; aware; attentive; observant)

This is a word that I can apply to my whole life, not just to eating.  I want to be mindful of my thoughts and my actions in every aspect of my life.  I want to be mindful of how my behaviors affect not just me, but those around me.  I want to know that my actions are a result of conscious choice and not just habit.  I want to know that I am doing what's right and not just what's easy.  I want to be mindful of my life.

(PS  Why did I have to choose a word that looks so strange when you type it out.?  It almost doesn't look like a word at all!  LOL)

new highs & new lows...

Today I turned 40--a new "highest age" for me.  I am so happy to be finished with the 30's.  What a tumultuous decade that was!

Today I also registered a new low on the scale...208.  That's a total of 33.5 lbs lost (including pre-op diet).

Cheers!

new year=new doc!

I have an appointment with a new lapband doctor on Friday!!!

At my last appointment with my PCP, I mentioned the problems that I was having with my aftercare.  "Let me make a call," she said.  Next thing I know, I have an appointment with the head of bariatric the bariatric center at a local hospital (about 1/2 the distance I was traveling previously).  An appointment in less than a week!!!!  Let's hope I can get some of this fill taken out and start losing (I want to be like Joey).

Cheers!

more photos from Colorado & other stuff...

This is part of "the group" that gathers at my house every year for New Year's Eve and at the house in Neptune Beach in July.  We've all been friends for over 25 years!  This year we decided to invade Lee & Carla's (Lee has the beard & Carla is in the back hugging the little girl) house in Fort Collins, Colorado.
That's Darrell & me on the left--both in red.

"Foxie" comes to visit in Lee & Carla's backyard most mornings from about 7am-10am.  We were lucky enough to catch her on our first morning before the snow came.

I neither lost nor gained on this trip.  I was surprised since my band was finicky (I had  MAJOR trouble both getting & keeping food down) and I don't feel like I really ate much all week.  Plus, I got in quite a bit more exercise than usual.  I think it's the first time in my life that I haven't gained during the last week of the year, however, so I'm calling it a victory!

My 40th is in two more days and I have to go to the dentist.  Ugh!  But, the day will be saved by a  massage in the afternoon.  

Cheers!

Snowshoeing @ Bear Lake! (picture post)

I'm the one in the pink goggles...