Fiberwoman, thanks for the new recipes. I will cut back on the parsley and add bananas this time. I will try the yogurt in my smoothie. I start out doing this new me thing, but quickly revert back to old habits. I have been trying to lose weight and stay away from sugar, but then Christmas came and it all went south. Then the enablers of my family sent goodies for presents. And, of course, we all have a sweet tooth at our house. Everyone gave my DH candy for presents this year or something food related. Oh, well. I will try to stick with something this new year. Judy in AZ

Judy.......Guess you learned the same way that I did about parsley - a little goes a LONG way. Hang in there. You can use dairy if you'd like, I have eliminated dairy, so obviously no longer use that. But, when I first started my mornings with smoothies, I definitely used yogurt. Whatever gets you going in the right direction. Don't burden yourself with expecting to do everything at once. I admire you doing what you are doing.
For Gloria.........LOL about the spinach. How about one leaf at a time? I doubt very much you'll taste it - especially if you have some banana or other goodies in the smoothie. I've even made a chocolate pudding recipe with spinach in it! You would never know! And another recipe uses avocado in the chocolate pudding recipe.
For the kale; it's fairly benign tasting in a smoothie. Collards are a bit more pungent. DH loves mustard greens, but they are very strong, so use very little if you go there. One of the beauties of putting the greens in a smoothie is that they are broken down and more easily utilized/digested. For using kale in a salad (as cooking destroys the nutrients), slice it into thin pieces, put in a bowl and rub with olive oil, salt and a bit of fresh lemon juice. Let that marinate for a while to soften, then add whatever goodies to that
My favorite "treat" smoothie is nut milk, frozen bananas (freeze them in smallish chunks to be kinder on your blender), chocolate (dark cocoa powder or raw cacao or carob), a bit of vanilla and almond extract and a teense of some sweetener.

Joyce, I know what you mean about the kale! But.....my sister gave me this recipe several years ago, and we really like it. Especially when the weather outside is frightful like it can be this time of year!!
Also...I absolutely do not enjoy cooking, but this is not difficult to put together.

Bean Soup with Kale (Delicious!)

1 TBL. olive or canola oil
8 large garlic cloves, crushed or minced
(I use 1-1/2 TBLS. prepared minced garlic)
1 large yellow onion, chopped
4 cups chopped raw kale
(or 10 oz.frozen, thaw and squeeze to remove water & chop)
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
3 15-oz. cans navy beans, (undrained)
4 plum tomatoes, chopped
(I use one can diced tomatoes)
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried rosemary
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt & pepper to taste

In a blender or food processor, mix 1 can of beans and 1 cup broth until smooth. Set aside.

In large pot, heat olive oil. Stir and saute garlic and onion until soft. Add kale and saute until wilted. Add 2 cans beans and 3 cups broth, tomato, herbs and parsley (reserve some to sprinkle on top of the individual servings if you like) salt & pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
Add blended beans and broth to thicken, and simmer 15 minutes longer.

Enjoy!

lzwhitehead wrote:
I would like to get in on this too )

Guess what lzwhitehead??? One was under my tree also. I read your post the other day and thought I would respond when I got mine. And guess what?? If you download the interent channel on the wii you can go to the TQS website, login, and watch TQS episodes on your television!!! How cool is that?

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Thank you, Margo, for starting this topic. I need encouragement and accountability.

I took the first step on my journey to healthy life in Sept. I am working with a personal trainer. Although I am still very intimidated by it all, I think that I am doing fairly well. I have made major changes in my diet and portions. It hasn't been has hard as I feared. I've lost about 10 pounds. I go in for a workout twice a week. It is resistance and weight training to strengthen and tone the muscles. For cardio, I am supposed to be walking at least 20 min. three times a week. So far that is not happening. I am also supposed to do some stretches between workouts for flexibility, but I'm not very consistent with that.

I have already read some great ideas from the other postings. Thank you, everyone for sharing. I want to learn more about different foods and what makes those foods beneficial. I have to have a good reason
for trying new foods. I'd never try kale on my own, but reading about it here makes me want to take a second look at it.

I need a new bathroom scale. I'll be checking into one like Margo mentioned. I also need a good podometer. Does anyone have suggestions on those?

I'd like recipes, also. Especially for those foods that I've never really tried before: vegetables and greens, yogurts, cheeses, and anything else.

I have tried the Lindt dark chocolate 70-75% cacao. I have one square after dinner if I'm really having trouble resisting dessert. That always satisfies.

I don't do well with responding to blogs, but I will try my best to encourage others on this journey with me. Joyce

Oh....forgot about the pedometer! My DH has one....I'll bet it needs new batteries!

Okay...now I have done it!!!! I joined Curves (yes, Manila just opened one) and will go there 3x a week! Since I put that out there...I am now committed! Then I have my pedometer (you can find in any Target store) to help me keep track of steps! Will try to hit 10,000 per day. And for anyone out there that has tried this before...it actually is a lot of walking to hit 10,000! LOL!

Sandi, I tried the spinach in the smoothie this morning and parsley, blueberries and strawberries. I had forgotten to add a banana and I had the overwhelming taste of parsley (too much). Yech!!!!!! So it is experimentation. I guess we can't use dairy products. So I added water as I didn't have any coconut milk or almond milk. I will have to look on that website that Fiberwoman suggested. Judy in AZ

Glad to have you join us, Karen! About the Plantar Facisiitis... I've dealt with that too. After the podiatrist said it would take surgery to fix it, I did more research and tried a LOT of different products. What has worked very well for me is using FABS. When my heels start bothering me I start using these straps until they feel better. I am usually barefooted when I'm at home, and wear them around the house and often overnight. They can also be worn with shoes!

http://www.drroths.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.fabs

I am in Margo....oh this is so needed. I have been on the gaining train for far too long and haven't been doing any exercise to speak of for most of this year...hence the gaining effect! I know it and have ignored it. So to you and everyone else who is ready to "do this thing" I am throwing my bulk into the ring and intend to come out of it this time next year on the healthier, better looking side of it all. I know what to do and I am still signed up at Curves and will continue this, but I want to add walking into the mix. Several years ago I was walking 3 miles a day and lost 35 lbs and felt wonderful....however I ended up with heel spurs and plantar fasciitius that was really painful and took a year+ to go away. This has held me back, but I have decided to do the walking and try really hard not to overdo and get heel pain again. Fingers crossed on this one. I am excited to do this with a support group and love the idea of a chart Margo. I know it will be so helpful. 2010 is the year to go for it. Thanks for beginning this for all of us who need it!

i'm in too!!! i am diabetic type 2 and need to continue losing some weight and especially exercise more because it really helps keep blood sugars on track. i am thinking of treating myself to something at our local quilt shop when i loose the next 10 pounds.
i like the idea of 10 pound treats!!!!!
cheers and a merry xmas

Good point, Sandi! I find that when I first start walking again I often have trouble with shin splints. (Really painful ache along the top of my shins.) I have learned that I can minimize that if I warm up before I walk and use ice when I get back. So....taking the lazy way...I put a heating pad on my shins while I have my morning cup of hot green tea, then I take my walk, and as soon as I get back I put ice packs on my shins while I check my e-mail! Then I'm ready to start the day! That's the plan...............

I'll do that as long as I feel the tightness in my shins, but after a couple of weeks it's not necessary any more.

I think sharing tips is a great idea, maybe recipes too for low fat, healthy foods. Not sure about spinach in a smoothie either :shock: I will try anything at least once! Also, remember to stretch those muscles before exercising so you won't get so sore. Sandi in FL

Thanks, Bonnie, for reinforcing the need to check with a doctor!

I was asked if we are going to post our beginning weight. :shock:

I really don't think that is necessary, but you are welcome to post it if you think it will help.

I think that if we just post our weekly progress like weight lost/gained or dietary successes or if we actually did our planned exercise it will be enough to encourage each other to keep doing what works, or try another method.