Nearly Tears for Parker

Last night I went to a concert for my 8 year old friend, Parker. His teacher has ties to a deaf and blind school in Ghana and their class decided to raise money so the school could buy a computer. I almost didn't go, then pulled myself together at the last minute.

Good decision. It was fabulous to support Parker's cause. The third graders in his class did a great job. Parker sang and danced his heart out. And I learned a life lesson.

Here's the scoop: Miss Brynn, Parker's teacher, wrote a song for the class to sing. In the song, each third grader was spotlighted with a line stating the child's name and some quality the class admired. I'm not sure, but I'd guess the class was asked to help identify those qualities. So, the song went something like this, "Friends, friends, everywhere a friend. Ana is nice and sweet, Carlos has a story to tell, Shauna knows the words to songs, Christian is a basketball star. Friends, friends...." You get the picture. Each time a name was sung, the third grader waved or stepped forward to claim his quality. It was sweet to watch them be uncomfortable and proud as their families saw them in the spotlight. As the song went on, I noticed Parker's smile became a squint of confusion, then a frown of frustration as the song concluded. His mom whispered to me, "They skipped the line about him."

Oh my dear, sweet boy! To watch his face as they moved on to another song--he valiantly fought off a melt down. Red faced and teary eyed, he pretended to do the sign language for the next song. Eventually, he pulled it together and just moved on. By the end of the concert, he was all smiles and boy-ready for a cookie and a hug.

After about five minutes of visiting and refreshment-ing, Miss Brynn went to the front and said, "Third graders, I just found out we skipped a line in our song. All third graders need to come to the front so we can sing it again." Without hesitation, the class launched into the song again. This time I smiled then cried when they sang, "Parker is a computer whiz," and my buddy proudly acknowledged the compliment.

Parker knew his teacher loved him. He knew his class thought he was a whiz on the computer. He cried because he wanted us to see what they thought of him.

We all deserve to be recognized and spotlighted-no matter how old we are. Let's make that happen for the people around us. Deal?

Kentucky Fried Goodness or Greats and Groans #2

It was a long week. Last week, I lost 7 pounds just by wishing. This week; 2 pounds-and I lost those on the first day! Whatev I guess.

Sooo, here's the report:

Greats: I have accomplished my first good habit goal - 21 days in a row of no food after 8:00 p.m. I am really happy with that. Of course, in order to claim it as a good habit, I will continue doing it (I'm reminding myself of that). Another good thing is I met with a lady at Curves and got myself ready to begin next week. The shoulder's still sore, so we thought it best to wait a week.

Groans: No working out. Nothing. Well, I did walk up one flight of stairs one day instead of using the elevator. Hmmm. No, I don't think that qualifies - even though I was huffing and puffing! Today I was beckoned by KFC on the way home. Yummy, greasy chicken. Mmmm. I caved. I am very unhappy with myself. Dangitalltoheck!

I'm reading a book called Fat Belly Diet. My friend Julie sent it home with me to preview during the weekend. She's all jazzed about it.

I'm off to book club-The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Great book!

Gluten Free Yumminess!

My friend Kristen invited me to dinner last Sunday. She made the most delicious cookies for me and sent the recipe. Thought I'd share!

Flourless Double-Chocolate Pecan Cookies

MAKES 12

3 cups confectioners’ sugar
¾ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder (spooned and leveled)
½ teaspoon coarse salt
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1½ cups chopped pecans (or other type of nut)
4 large egg whites, room temperature

Preheat oven to 325. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, cocoa, and salt. Stir in chocolate and pecans. Add egg whites and stir just until incorporated (do not overmix).

Drop dough by ¼ cupfuls, 3 inches apart, onto two parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets. Bake until cookie tops are dry and crackled, about 25 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cookies cool completely. (To store, keep in an airtight container, up to 3 days.)

Nutrition information per serving: 381 calories; 20.8 grams fat (3.5 grams saturated fat); 4.4 grams protein; 61 grams carbohydrates; 3.3 grams fiber.

From: Everyday Food, #65, September 2009, p.76.

Short Sentences...

Sore shoulder.
On the mend.

Back to work.
Way behind.

Icy roads.
Take it slow.

Stupid cough.
Worse at night.

Losing weight.
Yay!

Not really an emergency...

So, after my post on Thursday, I got busy on the bike. After bribing myself to go 15 minutes, I decided on 20 and was feeling all great and stuff. I got on the balance ball to do some sit ups and tried to adjust my position so I wouldn't run into the TV... and I fell off the ball! Yup, tipped myself right over onto my right shoulder. I heard things crunch and groan and somehow got myself on my feet, then called my friend Anita who was at a wedding reception down the street. She and her husband and boys came and rescued me. After an emergency room visit just long enough to be enjoying the Jazz game (Jazz won at the buzzer on a 3 pointer from that great 10 day contract guy), I was sent home with a sling, some drugs, and instructions to see my doc if all isn't well in a week.

I'm feeling okay and plan to get on the bike again today. Yesterday was kind of pain-filled, but I think I got really lucky and nothing was too badly damaged.

Best of all, I didn't come home and eat comfort food after the hospital visit. I thought about it, but my good habit streak is really inspiring me. Yay!

Greats and Groans #1

I haven't decided whether to post a food journal every day, once a week or not at all. I know I'm going to keep one-so far it's been just scribbles at work. Any ideas about journaling?

Greats: I rode my bike yesterday and plan to do so again once I'm done blogging. Only 15 minutes/100 calories, but hey, it's a start! Some gals in my neighborhood want me to join Curves. Thinking that's a great idea. I'm doing FAB on not eating after 8 p.m. That alone has some serious potential for weight loss. Feeling pretty cocky about my progress! I took lunch to work today and yesterday I ate a Wendy's chili and side salad (no dressing)--so lunch was a good choice.

Groans: So, I don't even love chocolate. I like it and trust me, I'll eat it, but I don't crave it. I know, that's super weird. I tend towards salty treats like popcorn, chips, nachos... now there's some cravin' stuff. So, the fact that yesterday and today I ate a Reeses candy bar (not even just bite size guys) and two pieces of chocolate from Cori's Christmas chocolate box just steams me. It's like I'm a rebellious teenager going, "See, I can eat what I want!" to my dedicated-to-weight-loss self. Dang! Also, I stopped at Taco Time on the way home from work to try the bite sized crispy burrito bites. Note to self: 1) not that great, 2) not really fun to eat in the car and 3) not gluten-free. Sooo not worth it.

Call for help: I've got to find something to help me get through the afternoon. It's crazy, but once I eat lunch, I could keep eating the rest of the day. What the heck?

I'm out for now-gotta go sit on a bike and ride into the sunset!

Taking a Stand

Here I go! I'm about to lose it. No, no; it's a good thing. I want to lose 50 pounds by the time I turn 50. That's a little over a year, February 17, 2011. I've told some ladies at church, some friends at work and home, some of my family, and some of my demo friends. Now I'm telling you.

How am I going to do it? I will confess I don't know exactly. It won't be shots or shakes. I applaud those of you who can make that work, but that's not for me. It will be sensible and slow. It will be vegetables and lean meat. I know myself well enough to know that's the only way to go for me. I also know I won't eat after 8 p.m.

Baby steps.

I'm going to go ride my bike now. I promised Jacque that I'd do that for at least 15 minutes a day while I try to decide what other exercise I can do.

Wanted to put this out to the universe and garner your support, recipes and great ideas.

Go me, take state!