170.4 Happy Thanksgiving!

We just got home from a wonderful Thanksgiving feast at our friend's home. Most of the dishes were made with less fat and sugar and were absolutely fantastic! I'm learning, still learning how to do this and still be able to enjoy yummy flavors of old favorites!

We are off to San Francisco for the weekend to attend a wedding so won't be blogging until Tuesday.

As you can imagine, I am very thankful for all those who helped me reach my 80 pound weight loss goal. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the wise and steadfast help from Jennifer Scott. And I owe a lot of thanks to Jeff for all the support and understanding he's given me over these past two and a half years, and, to all of you readers who directly or indirectly have given me encouragement. Thank you.

Hope you all had a very happy Thanksgiving.

209.4 Gifts

As I started out on my walk this morning, I saw my friends Terry and Louise, who had arrived here last night after being away since April. Louise has been following my blog from her home in Ohio since I first started to write it and she was so happy to see me 30 pounds lighter!  She called out to me as we approached each other about how much thinner I appeared.  And then she said you are walking so much better and standing so much straighter!  By this time we had hugged and she was wiping tears away.  This new me had brought tears to her eyes.

What she said next was the best gift of all.  She said that I have been an inspiration to her through my blogs.  Her husband, Terry, concurred as she told me that in restaurants she immediately moves one half of the portion away (to Terry's plate!), that she has cut down on the amount of bread she eats, etc.  What she didn't say but is so true is that she has become conscious about everything that she eats.

So Louise, it's great to see you looking so good.  Thanks for the gifts you gave me this morning, and welcome back!

208.8 Housekeeping?

I don't know what else to call this blog so I hope the title doesn't turn you off so you won't read it.  This one is really all about you!  Well, to be honest, it is about you and this blog.

First, I want to thank those of you who have made comments on specific blogs.  The fact that I have written something that has struck a chord with you so strongly that you have taken the time to make a comment means a lot!  If you have never made a comment but would like to, just go to the bottom of the blog you wish to comment on and click on post a comment.  You will see a text box in which you can write your remarks, and then you are asked to click on an option that will either send the comment directly to my email address, or, if you would like it to be available for others to see, you can click on Name/URL and just put your name in.  The URL thing is optional.  Or, if you prefer to remain anonymous, choose that option.  Then click on publish your comment.  It doesn't show up immediately, but will appear within a short time.  So, keep those comments coming.

And, I want to thank those of you who have contributed recipes, articles, etc., to the blog.  I just put up Lynsey's Quinoa (pronounced keen wha) Pancake Recipe.  Lynsey is a great cook and interested in making everything as healthy as possible.  Quinoa is a grain that is common is Central America and it is very high in protein.  It is a healthy substitute for rice and has a yummy texture.  Try Lynsey's pancake recipe, especially if you are feeding young children. They won't detect the quinoa and you'll know it is good for them.

And finally, if you have ideas for ways that I can improve the blog, please let me know.

Thanks so much!