tomatoes & corn...

Tomato-Corn Pie, Eating Well Magazine (click picture for link to recipe)

Corn & tomatoes are in season here in Georgia and I can't wait to start cooking! (even though I most likely won't be eating)  I stopped by a local produce stand in my hometown earlier today and picked up 5 ears of Silver Queen and 2 pounds vine-ripened, locally grown tomatoes.  I think The Hubs might soon be indulging in this yummy sounding tomato-corn pie.  I'll bet he won't even miss the meat!

Tomato Phyllo Tart, Eating Well Magazine

This one will rock with a bit of basil from my sister's garden (I didn't grow any this year).  I'll bet I could sprinkle some corn on this one, too.  Maybe even a little cojita and some cayenne instead of the basil--hello Mexican Corn Tart!  Mmmmmm....

my favorite things (part 2)...

I occasionally recommend products that I have used and loved.  I recently wrote an entire  post about it.  Today, I have a few more to add to the list:

La Preferida Spicy Chipotle Refried Beans
Ingredients: H2O, beans, chipotle, lard, salt
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Nutrition: 130 calories; 6g protein; 4g fat

I'll admit that lard doesn't exactly scream "HEALTHY!"  But, at least I can pronounce it and I know where it comes from.  Plus, I am generally in love with chipotle!

Rice Select Whole Wheat Pearl Couscous
Ingredients:  Whole wheat flour, rosemary extract
Serving size: 1/3 cup (dry)
Nutrition: 190 calories; 7g protein; 6g fiber; 1g fat

Many of us have trouble with pasta these days.  Brown rice could be an alternative, but it just doesn't offer me much incentive in the nutrition department.  This couscous gives me a high protein & higher fiber alternative to both traditional pasta AND rice.

Lifeway Lowfat Kefir
Ingredients:  milk, cane juice, fruit juice
Serving size: 1 cup
Nutrition: 140 calories; 11g protein; 2g fat

I especially love the 8oz. single serve bottles.  This makes a great grab-and-go snack and is also a great pick me up during my mid-afternoon slump.  It's thick enough that I sometimes use it as a meal on days immediately after a fill or when I'm just feeling a bit tight.  

Bariatric Advantage Calcium Chewy Bites
These things look and taste like Starburst candies!  I buy them in Lemon, Raspberry & Caramel.  They are so good that I had to make a sign in my house that says "NOT CANDY" so that my husband and friends would stop snacking on them. :)

I take 9 pills every day...

One of my pre-surgery goals was that I wanted my vitamins to be the only pills I take.  At the time, I was taking 3 pills a day:

1. multi-vitamin
2. Calcium supplement
3. Zocor (cholesterol)

My doctor wanted to give me meeds for  high blood pressure and high blood sugar (I was officially "pre-diabetic), but I was resisting.

Today, my blood pressure is great (no meds) and so is my blood sugar (also no meds).  My cholesterol is kicking a$$, but I haven't convinced doc to wean me off the Zocor, yet (she wants me to lose more weight first).  I have started taking Lexapro (anti-depressant) and Lunesta (sleep aid).  I also have added Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Omega 3 & B-50.

I've gone from 3 pills a day to 9 and have even added 2 prescriptions.  Something about that seems backwards.  

Someday, I'll be off the Zocor.  I also wonder if I really need the Vitamin D & C supplements.  Both my Calcium supplement and my multi-vitamin have Vitamin D...perhaps I can drop that from my daily routine.  I get Vitamin C from the blueberries in my morning smoothie and from my multi-vitamin.  So, I think I can probably drop those as well.  I have no desire to drop the Lexapro or the Lunesta....I absolutely LOVE them and they have made a huge positive impact on my life by stabilizing my moods.

I do not plan to drop the Omega-3, as I am a big believer in its effect on my cholesterol levels.  I stopped taking it for a 3-month period and relied solely on the Zocor...my total cholesterol went up by 30 points!  I'm taking it regularly again and will be re-tested in 3 months.  I am curious to see the results.

I also will keep the B-50.  As I mentioned in a previous post, it has made a big difference in stabilizing my energy levels throughout the day.

So, here's my new goal regarding pills:

1. Lexapro (anti-depressant/anxiety)
2. Lunesta, (sleep aid) 
3. Omega-3, Mega Red (cholesterol, joints)
4. B-50, Bariatric Advantage (energy)
5. Calcium chews, Bariatric Advantage (bones)
6. Multi-vitamin, Centrum Chewables (multi)

PS.  The upside of taking so many pills is that I get in 16oz water first thing every morning and they fill me up so that I'm not hungry usually until 10am.

umpqua oats...

I recently came across a blog (don't remember which one) with a review of Umpqua Oats.  Umpqua is all natural (i.e. "clean), single serving, on-the-go oatmeal.  I have requested samples from the company in order to do a product review.  I'll let you know what happens.

fill update & NSV...

Going back to liquids for a couple of days has helped tremendously!  I haven't tried solid food, yet, but I'm getting in plenty of water & am able to take my medications w/o any problems.  I am sticking to SlimFast for breakfast (and usually lunch) and mushies for dinner.  I have rediscovered my old post-surgery favorite of refried beans topped with shredded cheddar, salsa & a dollop of sour cream!  I have found that I am satisfied with this type of eating and I AM NOT HUNGRY!!!!!

I came home from vacation with a monster cold.  Not sure if my lack of appetite is from being sick or from finally having a good fill level.  Either way, I'll take it!

So, I think I have successfully babied my band and avoided what I was certain would be another un-fill.  Here's a recap of where I am right now:

• I can drink water & take medications easily
• I am satisfied with my level of [non]hunger
• The weight seems to be dropping off again (I am very close to a new low)

NSV alert!  NSV alert!

#1:  I bought a size 16 bathing suit and wore it (in public) on our recent trip to Neptune Beach. This is the first time I've been in a bathing suit in over 4 years!

#2:  When my husband saw me in it for the first time, his eyes lit up and he said "you look cute."

#3:  I felt good in the bathing suit.

#4:  Later that trip, Hubs suggested that maybe I should have bought a smaller size!  

fill update (the highs & lows)...

Hi all!

This latest fill has been a roller-coaster so far and I'm hoping that I'm near the end of the ride.  As you recall, I had the fill on Monday and then set off for Neptune Beach, FL the very next day.  I stayed on liquids through lunch on Wednesday.  Things were fine and I felt pretty good.  Unfortunately, dinner on Wednesday night didn't go so well--Low Country Boil (shrimp, potatoes, corn & sausage).  I took small bites & chewed thoroughly...but, to no avail.  I didn't get stuck, but the burp-fest began and lasted for over 24 hours (with little tiny bits of regurgitation each time).  It was fairly embarrassing with a group of over 20 people having to listen to me belch every 5 minutes or so and not being able to do anything about it.

After having trouble with my breakfast of Charleston Grits on Thursday morning, I decided to go back on liquids--hoping to give the swelling a chance to go back down.  Things were dicey for the next day or so, but I think I'm better today.  I have stuck to liquids since Thursday afternoon and those seem to be going down fine.  I had about 1/2 cup cream of tomato soup for lunch yesterday.  It took about 45 minutes to get it all down!  Dinner yesterday was Slim Fast--no problems--but taking my evening meds was  touch-and-go for a few minutes, although it worked out okay in the end.

I'm planning to stick to liquids for a few more days and will be going to the local Farmers Market soon to stock up on ingredients for some homemade puree'd soups.  As long as I can drink water and take my prescriptions, I am hoping to be able to ride this one out.

Thanks for the support and keep your fingers crossed for me!

Cheers!

dunno how much...

My fill yesterday was uneventful.  The doc filled until he thought it looked "perfect" under fluoroscopy and then backed out a bit until I felt comfortable--for a total of 1cc.  I think that puts me at 8.25cc's total.  Although, I've had so many fills & partial unfits that I'm not really certain at this point.  I took my Ibuprofen for two days--an attempt to prevent the swelling (thanks Jen for the tip).  Today I'm on liquids and I might even go an extra day tomorrow since we'll be traveling and I don't want to take chances.  It usually takes a couple of days for the swelling to kick in, anyway, so keep your fingers crossed for me!