jody

T = Tablespoon tsp = teaspoon

I'm only partial paleo. As in I have oatmeal once a day, every day. No matter what. It has helped my blood pressure immensely. I had super high blood pressure two years ago. Last time I went to the doctor is was almost low! Also, another thing that helped was working on meditation. Because stress and pain up your BP. Just my 2 cents, :-)

My most important lesson from this was learning not to give up when it didn't go totally perfectly. I tend to do that in most things in my life, and it's a serious character flaw. Since I get to make my own character in real life role play, I decided this one doesn't give up. ;-)

Okay, so you've mentioned "customs" and you've mentioned being an artist . . . so now I gotta know! What do you create? (Besides havoc? Because I know all about that, myself.) Also, I grew up in Illinois (but now live in Arizona). I kinda miss the seasons! But I don't miss the snow! And, I'm FLYing, too! Have been since her wee beginnings! :-) You totally rock. I know, cuz I do, and it takes a rockstar to know a rockstar. ;-)

Pumpkin Chili Why it rocks: Rich, chunky, spicy, and just a touch of sweet.Great with cornbread and sauteed greens!Ingredients 4 C Water15 ounce can of crushed tomatoes15 ounce can of kidney beans (drained)15 ounce can of pumpkin (not the pie filling, just the pumpkin)1 red bell pepper, chopped1 medium onion, chopped1 cup uncooked bulgur1 cup chopped Serrano chili pepper1 tsp minced garlic1 tsp chili powder1 tsp cumin1 tsp saltDirections Place all ingredients into a large saucepan, stir well to combine, and bring to a boil over a high heat.Reduce to medium-low and simmer for 35 minutes, covered.Serve warm!

Pumpkin Soup Why it rocks: Sweet and savory and velvety deliciousness!I tried this one, and it's to die for! Oh my gosh!Ingredients 1 T butter1 medium onion, chopped small/finely2 cloves of garlic, crushed1 pound of pumpkin, peeled, seeded, cut into 1 inch cubes3 cups of chicken stock1 T tomato paste1 T grated parmesan cheese1/4 tsp salt1/4 tsp pepper Directions Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until translucent (3 or 4 minutes), stirring.Add pumpkin cubes and cook for about 3 minutes, until lightly softened.Add stock and paste and stir to mix.Bring to a boil over a high heat, lower to simmer, and cover.Cook 20 minutes, until pumpkin is very tender.Transfer to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.Add the cheese, salt, and pepper.Mix and serve warm!

Final Points Allocation (10 points allowed) 1. Goal allocation: Q1: Appointment with athsma doctor = 1 CON & 1 WIS Q2: Daily Core Strengthening Exersizes = 1 STA & 1 STR & 1 CON Q3: Walk 3x Weekly = 1 STR & 2 STA & 1 DEX LQ: Volunteer at Bishop's Storehouse = 1 CHA 2. End of Challenge Summary: Q1: Appointment with athsma doctor = A (100%) Q2: Daily Core Strengthening Exersizes = C (75%) Q3: Walk 3x Weekly = D (100%) LQ: Volunteer at Bishop's Storehouse = F (0%) 3. Challenge allocation: Q1: A (100%) = 1 CON 1 WIS Q2: C (75%) = 0.75 STA 0.75 STR 0.75 CON Q3: A (100%) = 1 STR 2 STA 1 DEX LQ: F (0%) = 0 CHA 4. Mini Quest Points: Mini Quests: 2 WIS 1 CHA 5. Signature: || STR 1.75 || DEX 1 || STA 2.75 || CON 1.75 || WIS 3 || CHA 1 || 5. Progress Bars for this challenge: Appointment With Asthma Doctor (Call, Paperwork, Appointment) 100%100% Daily Core Strengthening Exercises (21 Times in 3 Weeks of Challenge Remaining) 75%75% Walking Three Times Weekly (9 Times in 3 Weeks of Challenge Remaining) 100%100%

What I've learned so far: I don't drink enough water. My doc says I'm dehydrated. I struggle with "daily" anything. See mission 2. Bleh. I need to let myself get more sleep. I'm too tired these days, and most of it's because of my Criminal Minds marathon, which I started way too late in the day to be reasonable, and I still haven't managed to make up the exhaustion from that little episode! I completely forgot about my "life mission" of volunteering at the storehouse. I'm gonna fail that one, I just ran out of time. Quest Updates: Mission 1: I need to see my doctor about managing my asthma symptoms better, so that I can breathe when I attempt to walk. This requires me to make an appointment, fill out lots of fun paperwork, and actually go to the appointment. All three things are on my least-favorite-things-to-do-list. But this mission is essential to my success. Update: Done! Mission 2: Core strengthening exercises. I need to do these exercises daily in order to strengthen the muscles that help support my spine, so that walking isn't as painful for me as it is currently. I want to accomplish three sets of 10 of each of the exercises prescribed my the physical therapist. Update: I don't do this daily. I should, but I simply don't. It slips my mind a lot, mostly I just run out of time and then crawl into bed and forget about it until the next day when I'm all like "crap" and I forgot again! It's frustrating! So I can't give myself a score of 100 on this, because I didn't. I think that perhaps I should have made this a three times a week thing, because that's about how often I remember! I will give myself a 75%, or a C letter grade. And I suppose I'll be adding this to my next challenge as well. Mission 3: Walking 3 times a week. At first I will have to walk in small increments, using my walker. But I'd like to be able to increase the time I am walking, and eventually the distance, without the walker. I will eventually increase my walking to 5 times a week. But for now, I have to start small, and go slow. Update: Still no distance walking, but lots of increased steps here and there. And I mean lots! I've actually started to enjoy the extra walking, so I'm gonna give myself a mission complete! And keep on keeping on! Next challenge I will continue to do so! I have more "pep" in my step, and that's a great thing! Now to keep it going!!! Other Cool Facts: I have learned a lot about myself, and have learned what my strengths and weaknesses are (somewhat) and now I can make my next challenge more appropriate to what I can do, can't do, won't do, etc. I am looking forward to my next challenge!

No binges, no forgetting my lunches, and no caving in at the drive through! I'm doing fairly well! Yay! How's everyone else faring?

2 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins Why it rocks: 5 Minutes to Prepare20 Minutes to Cook18 ServingsYour house will smell amazing! Ingredients 1 box of your favorite spice cake mix1 can of pure pumpkin puree (not pie filling, just pumpkin) (15 ounce can) Optional Ingredients 1/2 cup of raisins or chopped nuts, if desired. Directions Simply mix pumpkin and spice cake mix together and drop by heaping tablespoonds into greased muffin pan cups and bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes or until fork comes out clean. Doesn't get any easier than that!Nutritional Information Obviously, this isn't an exact calculation, because a lot depends on the cake mix you choose, and if you add optional ingredients . . . 114 calories0.4 g total fat0.0 mg cholesterol120 mg sodium24 g total carbs2 g dietary fiber3 g protein

I do the same thing. I'm negative nelly with myself all the time. Default setting. Let's make a PVP for our next challenge! :-)

I use MFP, too. It's a great tool! :-)

I made a battle log, woot! And I linked it. And I'm gonna be going to the Adventurers for starters, and decide, after trying out monktastic feats and other types of adventures, which direction I'd like to head. :-)

My sugar cravings are back bigtime, I let myself have a Ding Dong, bad idea! LoL Too sweet, and now I'm craving MORE sweets! I need to drink more water, I've been dehydrated. My doc commented on it, so yeah . . . gotta drink more water. LoL I'll post a "real update" tomorrow when I've got more time. Or later today rather. I'm up in the middle of the night with the munchies and am downing some water instead, hoping that fills me up and lets me go back to sleep.

No binges, but I sure have allowed myself too many cookies here and there! I better tighten up! I'm craving carbs suddenly, and sweets! I never ever should have let myself eat that stupid Ding Dong, because since then I've wanted more and more junk! I've told myself no far more than I've said yes, but this one really got me! Ding Dongs are so very over sweet, and now I'm triggered! Bleh! Time to purge the sweets and get back on track!

I can't do yoga. Too fat. I can't bend, stretch, or anything like that just yet. I'm just working on my walking, and eventually being able to tie my shoes without my face turning beet red.

I can't seem to go more than about 10 days without succumbing to the siren call of Coke . . . *sigh* BUT . . . let's see, I used to drink three cans of Coke a day, during the work day, and grab a large fountain drink from Carls Jr on the way home. So I'm thinking it's still an improvement. :-)

Your body is rejecting the poison! ;-)

I just got this App, and it calcs based on your weight, and if you use the GPS feature it calcs your altitude and your pace for you as well. And that all goes into what calories you have burned. I'm gonna trust it. (Burning the calories doesn't mean eat another meal! Not in my book anyways. Everybody does it different.)

Blinking against the bright light, the overly-gelatinous slug inches forward from the cave of doom into a brighter future . . . . Fearing the fate of her siblings and parents, the worm will travel to great lengths to become a dragon . . . rather than a cave worm unable to move, unable to enjoy life. Ahem, ahem. . . . no, I was never a good writer. I always wanted to be, but my talents lay elsewhere. Primarily in eating. And over eating. And making excuses. And avoiding exercise in all of it's varied forms. But that path leads to diabetes, heart disease, and other non-fun problems. And it's time to learn new talents, and develop new skills, and change old ones into healthier ones. So here I begin my journey. I am close to completing my first 6WC, and I'm ready to venture out into the "real world" of NF. Someday I'll join the monks, but since I'm still a fledgling, I'll begin in the Adventurers. On your mark . . . . get set . . . . GO!

I'm likely going to the Adventurer's Guild for starters, but eventually I'm probably going to the "Monks", because I like punching stuff. ;-) (At least, I think I do!) The idea of leavin' the Lvl 1 Rebels, it's almost sad that it's over so fast! LoL I can't wait to hear where everyone else is going to funnel off to . . . there are people I want to follow no matter where they march off to!

I hope Blaidd is okay . . . I missed our last mini-quest! :-(

There we go! That's more like it!

Where do you find this awesome music? So uplifting, both the words AND the message! How rare is that? I can never find music like that!