BIRTHDAY POST SCRIPT

The guided striped bass fishing trip was fun, I assume. The result was one eight pound striper. A hybrid striper was caught and released to grow up a tad.

According to my husband {H} it must have been a day of what we call short 'hits,' where the fish somewhat reluctantly feed. I, being a foodaholic, have no idea how to 'reluctantly feed.'

He, his friend and the guide all were reeling fish in but about half-way to the boat the fish released, jumped off, whatever....they never made it to the boat. The guide seemed frustrated himself.

Despite taking his camera, H made no pictures.

One of you mentioned it was too bad I did not go, too, as I like to fish. Well, with my bionic knees, short legs, etc. I am somewhat of a pain to take fishing. When I don't go, no one has to worry about me falling overboard, etc. [I don't swim.] It was not my birthday, so I happily stayed home awaiting the fishing report. Besides the hot humid weather is not very compatible with my various health maladies.

As far as recipes for cooking, the South is primarily FRY! BABY FRY! I have heard of some expert backyard grillers, grilling striped bass. Most recipes have a variety of herbs and a touch of lemon and wrapped in foil.

Here is my favorite coating and technique for BAKING FISH TO TASTE NEARLY LIKE FRIED. It is composed of two mixtures. You have to determine the amount of fillets to be be baked and adjust the mixtures.

If you like heavily battered fish double these amounts which are for about 20 oz of fillets cut in 4 pieces.

Heat Oven to 400 deg. F

EGG MIXTURE:
Lightly beat one egg; add 1-2 T milk or cream if not watching calories. Water may also be used.

COATING:
1/4 c  cornmeal
2 t     parsley, dried
1/4 t  black pepper
1/2 t  salt (optional to those watching salt)
1/8 t  cumin
1/8 t  cayenne
1/4 t  paprika

[Herbs and spices certainly can be varied in kind or amount to taste]

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Dip fillet in egg mixture, moistening it well; then roll in coating mixture, lightly coated,I and place on baking sheet.

When all fillets are on sheet, lightly spray fillets with cooking spray, so they will brown.

Bake 10-15 minutes or just opaque in center.

Suggested side dishes, backed potato sticks and lemon wedges.

This is and adaptation of a Weight Watcher recipe. I found cooking time is a little longer, plus turning the fillets and spraying with cooking spray makes browning more uniform.

Further if those sharing the meal really, really like fried, I sometimes double the mixtures and really coat the fish.

Although I have never tried it, I feel the mixtures could easily be pan-fried or deep-fried.

Some day when I bake this recipe I'll try to capture a photo. 

Otherwise today I spent the morning perusing grocery store selections for low to no salt versions of various items. I found Kashi has two ZERO sodium ready-to-eat cereals (Heart to Heart). I found Nabisco Wheat Thin Flatbreads, and Ritz Lower Sodium Crackers low enough to eat carefully and also Kashi TLC Crackers in the non-cheese flavors.

I bought two flavors of Mrs. DASH (no salt) to try, on at the table and the other to cook with, although I have several homemade mixture that employ very little salt. I make and store them in old spice shaker containers I've washed and saved.

It is hard to watch salt, sugar and fat all together, although SPLENDA does alleviate so sugar cravings.

DO YOU HAVE TO WATCH SALT, SUGAR, FAT?

[I don't know why some of my hyperlinks are highlighted in yellow as I have speller turned off.... I checked.] 

Yucky! Icky! Phew! I Don't Like That! Lament

Very few have missed the fact I'm trying to shed much maligned fat for health reasons. I never intend to be as svelte as Luckie, nor runway models.

After 26.5 lbs of controlled, tormented starvation and over six months, using Weight Watchers On-Line, I still am no closer to loving vegetables than when I was six years old.

I rarely tolerate more than one serving/meal. The only way I meet my diet requirements of 5-7 fruits or vegetables is with fruit, all of which cost me infamous points!

Starchy vegetables also cost points: white and sweet potatoes, most root vegetables, peas, dried shelled beans/peas, pumpkin. Naturally, those are the ones I like a bit more.....

Mother tried, but I regularly refused stinky vegetables, Brussel sprouts, broccoli cauliflower, turnips, cabbages, parsnips, rutabagas. Onions I liked. She ate a lot of vegetables RAW. I gagged, just watching her.

You get the picture ... this old dog isn't learning any new tricks! But I keep trying. I know...I know. It's good for you.

I've found a miniature variety of bok choy, a Chinese cabbage, baby bok choy, I tolerate fairly well. It has little odor and can be cooked, stir-fried or eaten raw. WalMart used to carry it in a packet of three, but their marketing strategy seems to be this: they no longer carry it after you get hooked on it.

On my frequent trips to Springfield, MO I have purchase moderate supplies at a local Asian Market. Debbie Meyer Green Bags keep Baby Bok Choy fresh for a long time.

Today, I chopped one baby bok choy into stir-fry bits, added 1/2 tablespoonful of olive oil, 1/2 cup of leftover Bush's speckled butter beans, 1.5 oz of leftover Crock Pot pulled BBQ pork loin, finely minced crystalline ginger and a liberal sprinkling of black pepper in to a 6" skillet. [2 vegetable servings here!]

I cooked the mixture until liquids evaporated. I served myself in a small bowl ( so it looked like a BIG serving - perception is everything to a dieter) along with 15 Kashi TLC 7 grain wheat crackers.
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UPDATE: LUCKIE AND HER TOYS

I think Luckie has caught on to Christmas - - Starting in July, start hinting what Santa should bring down the chimney and place under the Christmas tree. Meanwhile be sure to demolish a few toys so you have a few new ones from which to pick the next "favorite toy."

For at least two Christmases, my best friend has provided her the most popular toys; this year I have no name for it, except it had two ears, two arms and two legs. I am amazed its nub of a tail remains intact!

To date it has had 5 amputations and the 6th is due any day. She has a huge box of untouched toys, of which a select few CLEAN ones will find their way to the yard sale Labor Day.

I have purchased her a chipmunk (toy) for Christmas. I have deep reservations about her having such a toy, given her penchant for hunting the cute little critters.''

"I GET TO BE THE TAIL END!!!"

'You Gotta Wanna!' & 'I Don't Wanna!'

Please excuse the colloquial language of post title... I lapse into sloppy language occasionally -- Apologies my English teachers.

In a past weight loss journey I attended a Weight Watchers summer camp (June 1979), located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Montreat, N.C. The camp director was a dynamo Weight Watcher leader, Ruth Harper (I think I have the correct name.)

Ruth's enthusiasm could energize and inspire you to do handstands and calisthenics at the same time, if required to lose weight. She knew how to make the food program palatable. The program in those days required 3-5 'fish' (not fried) meals and one LIVER meal weekly--not my usual weekly menus, but my menus were not weight loss compatible!

In the week I spent in camp we had lectures by Ruth daily. These lectures were designed to stoke the fires of enthusiasm to complete the journey to a specified weight goal. She could set off firecrackers under our fat fannies in 10 minutes. Each lecture ended with the admonishment: YOU GOTTA WANNA!

Yes , I should tatoo it on my forehead, or as the Biblical Israelites of old, scripture was written or tied on the forehead.[Deut. 6:1-9 ,25]

Weight Watchers dislikes the word 'diet' associated with their food program; they prefer a 'nutrional food program for life.' Sorry! to me it is a starvation diet. How else can you describe 40 medium size grapes as a serving? Nope! it's starvation.

When I left camp I swore I was having a tee shirt and sweatshirt made with the slogan, YOU GOTTA WANNA, back and front. I don't remember ever doing it.

In subsequent weight loss attempts, I remembered Ruth Harper and her slogan. I remember it every Wednesday a.m. when I weigh and record my gain or loss at Weight Watchers on-line.

In fact the slogan is applicable to other life events, too. In my senior years with increasingly long lists of aches, pains and physical ailments, I become weary with doctor appointments, and discouraging news.

Recently, blood tests discovered I have a slightly elevated calcium and parathyroid hormone levels in my blood. This is indicative of benign adenoma(s) in one or more parathyroid glands, but may also be indicative of kidney failure. None of my doctors suspect cancer. I had an 'eye to thigh' PET/CT scan in October--nothing "lit" up in the terminology of PET scanning.

My GYN physician made an appointment with an endocrinologist in Springfield MO for July 7. This involves a 2-hour drive and 2-3 nights stay, plus boarding Luckie.

My self-awarded license to practice medicine, not my legitimate license to dispense medications, enables me to prognosticate I think my irregular blood levels are due to discontinuing Boniva last October because of gastric distress. My diagnosis does not hold water with anybody, but me!

I DON'T WANNA GO. I've looked for every excuse, consulting with my primary care physician and oncologist looking for support to cancel. Nope. They say I GOTTA GO. Grrr...@#^%$#!

Reluctantly, I GOTTA GO. I started the first steps Monday in making reservations at La Quinta Inn for three nights. I spent yesterday filling out a package of information sent me by the endocrinologist's office. But still, I DON'T WANNA go. But I GOTTA.

Little Things Sometimes Bring Joy

Wednesday, husband (H) and best-nearly a sister-friend (BF) went shopping in Springfield, MO. We all had different objectives.

H was big-time looking at a new pick-up, Toyota Tacoma. Although he did not buy, we will be returning in early June, if both of us clear our 6-month health exams.

BF wanted pots for her water lily plants. Despite several stops at nurseries, she came up empty. She will pursue the search on the Internet.

I had two objectives, a 6-quart stockpot ( Dutch oven) and baby bok choy (BBC). I found the pot at Target and the BBC at an Asian food market. [Not acquainted with BBC? Check out Farm Fresh: Grilled Baby Bok Choy]

The baby bok choy was highlight of my day - above Target (stockpot, two hats), above Red Lobster, above Kohl's, above Sam's Club, above all else!

When one decides to diet [my definition: long term food deprivation, controlled starvation], especially Weight Watchers (WW), a truce with vegetables is mandated. The current WW diet is based on a point principle. The dieter is assigned a daily point allowance based on weight at any given time. As weight declines, so do points on which to dine. Most vegetables are ZERO points; e.g. eat all you want all day long! That is enticing to a member of Foodaholics Anonymous!

I intensely dislike most vegetables, especially strong smelling, tasting ones - turnips, parsnips, rutabagas, cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts -YUCK! YUCK !YUCKO! I have passing acquaintances with green beans, shelled beans, peas, corn, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, iceberg and Romaine lettuce, sweet peppers. I can tolerate some items on the Yucko list, if slathered with melted cheeses, or concealed with southern-style gravies or rich sauces.

To counter boredom, the bane of dieting, variety in food selection within the boundaries of most diets is required. A few years ago Wal-Mart was selling an interesting Chinese cabbage called BBC, 3/package, which appeared identical to its larger namesake. A simple little recipe on the packaging lured me to try the somewhat pricey babies.

I knew my husband would snub it. If it isn't corn or potatoes, he's not interested. I LOVED it - no strong odors, relatively easy to chop, can be eaten raw, stir fries in a few minutes, stores for long periods of time in refrigerator.

For the rest of that year, I regularly purchased my new-found love, but, come next spring, it was no where to be found in my rural area of Arkansas. Now that I am again participated in controlled starvation, I searched, without success, for BBC at available food supplies within a 50-mi. radius.

I began to think BBC was a Chinese import, banned, when melamine food and drug contamination reared its ugly head. By the way, melamine is in fertilizers used in US agriculture-consider the ramification of that fact.

Eureka! Wednesday was my lucky day! I bought six BBCs and have the hope of future purchases, since H and I will be traipsing to Springfield in pursuit of his dream truck. I am searching for ways to freeze it...maybe blanching, freezing and my food sealer process.

Amazing how little things, like baby bok choy, can elicit joy.

WEDNESDAY'S WAIT AND WEIGHT WARS

"GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WEIGHT, OOPS,WAIT! "

The scale and I are adversaries - maybe that's not the best metaphor. Maybe the scale is a necessary evil in this journey. Unfortunately, it is a necessary tool.

Wednesday's weigh-in produced a one lbs. loss - maybe the ignominious plateau is crumbling. It certainly is trying my patience as I perceive myself on controlled starvation.

Truthfully, at my age,calories are burned less efficiently and the activities which expedite the use of calories, i.e., increased physical activities, are slowed by old age aches, pains, and chronic illnesses.

But the moral of the adage, is PATIENCE, a virtue in which I am extremely deficient.

Meanwhile Luckie is enjoying her svelte figure and I am still WAITING... impatiently.

MONDAY EPIPHANY!

Often early in the morning I think over the things the day will provide, and of course, what to eat.

After considerable mulling over my current dietary curse, the "plateau," the color WHITE came to mind. That's it--I have allowed too many "bad" carbohydrates, i.e., mostly starches, back into my diet. My curse has been carbs, which, in general, do not metabolize in my dietary plumbing.

Today I am carefully retooling my choices where whole grain choices of carbs are included in very limited amounts and limited sugars. Sugar of some sort is hidden in lots of stuff, even whole grain breads.

Another dietary factor associated with the color WHITE is FIBER. Products with a lot of refined or processed starches, have little or NO fiber. FIBER is important for many dietary digestive functions.

It is a maze to negotiate the food choices at our various markets as I am not a scratch cook--I am not a cook...period. However, careful nutrition label reading is helpful. For example KASHI® brand cereals, frozen foods, snack bars and their entire product line is known to have a higher ratio protein and fiber, to comparable products.

Nabisco® Wheat Thins Fiber Select (Kraft Foods Global Products) is a new product in two flavors, original wheat or vegetable; whole wheat grain flour is first ingredient and each serving has 5 grams fiber.

Recently Splenda® sugar substitute has added fiber to its 1-serving packets.

It is probably too late to see if this is rectifies the scale day (Weds.) but certainly there is no time like NOW to start. I also need to increase activity. My Silver Sneaker class is changing time, which is a mild inconvenience for me.

Stop by May 13 for results, in blogging terms... follow me!!!

Foodaholic Anonymous - Membership of Two - Progress Report

Same song, second verse; could be better, but it's gonna get worse! -- the way we said it when I was a kid. Another version went "same song second verse: a little bit louder, and a whole lot worse!"

I am updating Luckie's and my Battle of the Bulge. My solution for controlled starvation (my definition for diet) is controlled food portions for us both.

Since it seems to behoove me, as chief cook and bottle washer, to control both our food portions, Luckie and, at least temporarily, myself are making some inroads. She is maintaining in the area of 39 lbs., her veterinarian's recommended weight.

Since Dec. 31 I've lost 20 lbs. and holding, by joining Weight Watchers (WW) on-line as my "counselor" and guide. I would prefer to attend an area WW meeting in a community 17 miles from my home, but I do not drive at night.

I've used many diets under many names and lost weight. WW, however, promotes a balanced, reasonable, food program for life. Yeah! I know, it is a franchise, and they make money; I know several other "diet" franchises that cost much more . I've known successful WWs who take WW's program and adjust it to their life style, whether counting points or calories, deliberate, honest portion control, or an innate sense of body caloric need.

There are two mantras for my success; (1) brutal self-honesty (2) "you gotta wanna!" They should be tattooed on my forehead.

In my blog I will mention WW, my struggles, successes or failures, but I'm not into meals, menus, recipes and cooking for on-line regular digestion. If you enjoy light recipes and light dining with a somewhat exotic flair, visit a fellow blogger, Sweetie Pie . She has original ideas to keep things interesting. Read her bio for inspiration to keep trying to lose--it will energize you.

Other WW bloggers I follow: A Losing Battle , Bella on the Beach ,and Happy Texans . Search Blogger, Wordpress or search engines for Weight Watcher Blogs. There are 100s.

I hate cooking; at my house it requires two meals, one for my 15 lb. underweight husband and one for the umpteen lb. overweight me! --Oh yes, feeding Luckie morning and evening.

Currently I seem hexed by the word "plateau," a nice word for "stuck in the middle of nowhere." This disgusting enigma has lasted three weeks, up ½ lbs., down ½ lbs. ad infinitum, ad nauseum.

When you are short (defined by me as under 5 ft.) and obese ( over 200 lbs. starting weight), 20 lbs. less is not dramatic nor noticed by many people. Yes, I'm still fat, but not as fat, in fact, 20 lbs. less fat. A few kind individuals at church who are aware of my efforts, do pause to compliment me.

Oh well, one consolation is I am getting back into some of my "less fat" fat clothes.

Meanwhile, Luckie is enjoying her svelte figure and same old wardrobe!

Maybe I have it all wrong. I should eat kibbles with Luckie!

Foodaholics Anonymous - Membership of Two

Our household has two foodaholics, Luckie and me. From all indications we will always be members of our own Foodaholics Anonymous. We are insanely preoccupied and addicted with food of all kinds, but mostly those unhealthy, cholesterol ridden, waist-expanding varieties.

This addiction is why we're perennially "on a diet!"

Luckie doesn't know she is on a diet...but maybe she does.

This morning's feeding frenzy is one example: I decided to get up later, like 7 a.m., when a wet nose and quiet, impatient bark awakened me. Before I completed my coffee-making routine, my underweight husband arose. Accompanied by Luckie, he went out to smoke a cigarette (no smoking is allowed inside house or car) and retrieve the area morning newspaper.

Meanwhile, I completed the coffee routine, setting the ON button on the second coffee maker, the signal to Luckie, her breakfast will be served. I feed her a meager half cup of kibbles plus a tad of cheese wrapped meds.

On days like this, I tried to sneakily fool her by quietly preparing everything. However, to no avail yet, she hears the kibbles hit the bottom of her metal bowl. She impatiently paws the door until my husband lets her in; then it's a "hot to trot" to her bowl.

And I am contemplating what breakfast will be...a piece of fruit or more substantial fare. I favor the latter, but will probably choose the former. Ah, such is life in Foodaholics Anonymous!

Catch-up Weekend and Luckie's Latest Sins

The week begins with well-laid plans but ends with items moved forward day by day, so Saturday, and to some degree, Sunday become the days these tasks are completed.

Earlier, I mentioned my window box house plants were root-bound and haven for ants. Saturday I destroyed every plant and applied ant killer to every seam around the box. I put my German Shepherd Dog statues of glass, brass and ceramics perched on a shelf and a scaled down collection of mortar and pestles.

The window box looks barren; the sun heat beats in since we lost seven beautiful shade trees in a recent, disastrous ice storm. The trees outdoors and the indoor plants shielded the kitchen from the southern exposure heat.

Then I prepared a Pot Luck Pasta Salad posted on WW, 12 servings (3 pts./serving), for my Sunday Life Group meeting. At least there would be one dish I could eat along with four meatballs sans sauce. Fortunately, among the lovely desserts was a strawberry, kiwi and apple salad I used for "dessert." I surely missed the taste of coconut pie, caramel iced bundt cake, and some tarts.

Meanwhile, while we attended Sunday services and Life Group afterward, back at the house, Luckie discovered my husband's stash of caloric goodies, he keeps out of my sight. He left the door open to the closet and the door to the room. She removed a box of six Parisian cinnamon rolls, eating them all, leaving the box in our pathway.

Quite content, she was at the gate, wagging her tail, when we arrived home. Somehow, I think she was smiling, thinking, "I foiled their attempts to keep me out of the food chain, again."

Rambling with Luckie

Luckie decided I should arise early after a difficult Friday, so I made the coffee and fed her; she promptly went back to bed--her mission accomplished.

So I have finished my coffee, while reading my favorite news sites, e-mails and blogs. Now I am mulling and stewing over the difficult Friday which involved, in my opinion, the difficult side of small town politics, and involved dismissal of a volunteer without transparent cause! Ah--I am adopting our new President's vocabulary!

But the day ended nicely with a fish-fry and a computer request at our closest friends' house. And I was able to put the meal in my Weight Watcher diet, because she provided me the menu and scale ahead of time. Isn't that considerate? Normally fried fish is a no-no, but advanced planning allowed it.

Our anticipated trip to Texas is postponed after several long conversations with my half-brother who really appreciated the concern and attention from me and my husband. The trip is what we call "in limbo" for now.

Since the weather is unsettled, today is designated "stay at home" and enjoy it, with many neglected chores awaiting my attention.

Maybe, I'll even plan and cook a balanced, hot meal---I dislike cooking and most duties associated with home which I attribute to my 36 years' in the job force. My husband does help me, especially with outdoor chores.

I achieved one small goal this week-Luckie received her monthly "beauty treatment"-Bath, nail trim, ear clean, etc. and came home with a lovely yellow neck bandanna, looking ready for spring.

Now that the rest of the household is up and moving, so must I.....