JazzyJude

Oh Julie ~ that is AWESOME! I am so proud of you! :lb24: :lb21: :lb10: I am so looking forward to some kind of 'rewards' like you. You all are inspiring me and this is what is helping me to get through this Bandster HELL! You are right about the darn scale though!!! I haven't been on it since I first weighed on Sat, Oct 18, when I lost 10 lbs in 10 days...but since then, I've been wanting to weigh myself countless of times during the day! I finally told hubby to get rid of it, out of the house, and he put it in the trunk of my car! HA! He says if I wanted to weigh myself, I would have to take it out of the truck and do it on the street! Oh what a feeling to get into those smaller size, huh Julie? Yeah!!!!

I made this yesterday and was surprised how the men really liked it. Most men are so fickle when you try knew recipes and such. I didn't tell anyone it was new, just a 'family' recipe I hadn't done in awhile (Sorry Jann...didn't mean to lie...but thought all of you as my 'family' (smile). My adopted Dad passed away a week ago Friday and his Celebration for Life was yesterday. It was beautifully done. Basically, I brought all the ingredients with me to my adopted Dad's home and prepared it there. I didn't have the swiss cheese and replaced it with Blue Cheese crumbled and Ranch dressing they had. When we came home and opened the door, oh!, the smell from that crockpot was soooo delicious! I had doubled the recipe and it was ALL gone when I left for home. IT WAS A HIT Jann! Thanks for this simple, quick crockpot meal!

:lb24: :lb24: :lb21: :lb10: :lb9: :cheerleader: Welcome to Bandland!! You two are going to be great! I can't wait to hear both of your progresses. This is sure going to be a double delight experience for you two. Please keep us posted and remember to sip, sip, sip, and walk, walk, walk! Rest and relax for this is your beginning. Aren't OCC staff wonderful?!! I was banded 2 weeks ago at OCC on OCt 8 and so far I feel GREAT! I come on this forum often to gain information and suggestins from everyone here. Read, read, and read the posts here on the forum. If you have any questions, ASK! We are all here for you as we are one HUGE family! ((HUGS!)) to the both of youse!

I've tried this and it's very good...I've tried with other veggies too...such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, califlower, corn, you name it. Not all at once, but different variations...use your imagination on this one!

Iamworthit ~ Kudos to you too! My I can imagine your surprised feeling finding you can wear a smaller size1 I, too, hope to have that feeling when I lose that amount. Truthfully, I can't...been to heavy for over 20 years...so we shall see! WTG and your weight loss too!

Chicken, Chorizo & Tortilla Soup Serves 4 Inspired by Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals Comfort Foods NOTE: This has 75.3g of proteins per serving! 30 min | 15 min prep Ingredients: 1 lb chicken tenders, chopped in small pieces salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste 3/4 lb chorizo sausage, diced 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 (15 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, drained 2 tsp hot sauce (I like Chulula) 1 (15 ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes, chopped 1 quart chicken broth 2 cups tortilla chips, crushed, for topping 2 cups monterey jack pepper cheese, shredded, for topping Directions: 1. Heat a medium soup pot over med-high heat. Add olive oil & chicken to the pot. Lightly brown chicken 2 minutes. 2. Add chorizo & garlic. Cook another 2 - 3 minutes, then add peppers & onions. Cook 5 minutes. 3. Stir in beans, hot sauce, & tomatoes. add chicken broth & bring to a slow boil. Reduce heat & simmer 5 minutes. 4. Ladle soup into oven proof bowls, top with cheese & chips & broil until cheese melts. Nutrition Facts Calories 977 Total Carbohydrate 32.2g Dietary Fiber 8.9g Sugars 3.8g Protein 75.3g

OMG! That trip sounds soooo good! Can I come? By then, I should have lose a few pounds. I can't promise at the moment...but I sure as heck like to go! I love the title Cathy! "Bandita Bikini Babes in Bahamas 2010"!!

OK...I just hit an emotion moment just listening to you all right now. I am so glad I've found you all as my family...just rooting everyone. I actually have tears in my eyes...this is a good moment for me. I am so happy for all of youse and I am just hoping I will get there eventually to tell you 'my' story. OK, this is not negative thinking...just a dream I have been wating for so long and I KNOW it will happen...just, that's it has been a dream and soon it will be for real! YOU ALL DESERVE A BIG HUG AND KISS from me!..sniff, sniff ~ smiling!

Oh I am so happy for you Cath! Yes, right now it seems so far away for me to even think it...it's been way too long for me. But , yes, I WILL one day and I WILL post like you do. I've a feeling I will be very emotional too. :cheerleader: :lb24: ((HUGS!))

Yes, what Jann says, pizza is totally a junk food and if you are going to spend good money on your band, why would you want to risk the health of eating greasy, fatty, doughy glob that would hurt you and your band? When you decide to have the band, it means total committment to liefstyle changes with healthy foods and do substitutions. I've a few 'mock pizza' recipes that might entice you and you would be surprised at the taste and wonder why you would eat the other 'junky, greasy' kind. Look for the recipes in a few days.

So sorry you had this experience but good thing you went to the fill dr. Rest up and take it easy and start slowly...keep us posted on how you are doing. Know that we are thinking of you! :lb4:

Hi Shelby! Yes, you are right...that's my son, daughter in law and grandson. He was getting his fill. Between the 3 of them they've lost 150 lbs so far! HOO RAH!! So glad to see you doing great and like me, the surgery a day earlier...but more time to shop! LOL Get your rest babe and so glad you are on this side...now, it's all downhill. Keep us posted on your progress!! Remember, to sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk!! Glad we were all here for you. :lb9:

OH YES! My November calendar is starting to get full with your new recipes Jann...enough for me to start drinking! LOL...drinking...Vodka...got it? This is a for sure to try...LOVE sage!!!

I think this would be very band friendly. We eat it several times during the fall/winter. Got this recipe from Cooking Light while back and it's also very easy to make. I also freeze this and take to work for lunch. Zucchini Lasagna Makes 10 servings Ingredients: 4 cups water 6 cups sliced zucchini (about 3 medium) 1 lb. ground round (beef), ground turkey or ground chicken 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 cups low-fat spaghetti sauce (such as Muir Glen Organic) 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp dried basil 1/2 tsp dried oregano 2 cups fat-free cottage cheese 1 Tbsp dried parsley 2 large eggs, lightly beaten (or use eggbeaters) Cooking spray (I use Pam) 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs, divided (use enough to not make it soupy) 1 3/4 cups (3 1/2 ounces) preshredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350. 2. Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add zucchini; cook 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and cool. 3. Place the beef (turkey or chicken) and garlic in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until browned, stirring to crumble. 4. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, salt, basil, and oregano; cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat. 5. Combine the cottage cheese, parsley, and eggs in a medium bowl. 6. Arrange zucchini slices in a shallow 3-quart casserole coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle the zucchini with half of the breadcrumbs. Spread half of cottage cheese mixture over breadcrumbs; cover with half of the meat mixture and 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat the layers with the remaining breadcrumbs, cottage cheese mixture, and meat mixture; reserve the remaining mozzarella. 7. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella, and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Nutritional Information Calories: 210 (30% from fat) Fat: 7.1g (sat 3g,mono 2.8g,poly 0.5g) Protein:20.9g Carbohydrate:14.8g Fiber:2.3g Cholesterol:69mgI ron:2.5mg Sodium:554mg Calcium:153mg

Way to go! Glad to see after all you went through, you allowed some time afterwards to see the results! Keep it going...you will be at your goal sonner than you think!

:lb9: in Bandland!! I had my surgery 2 weeks ago, Oct 8, so we are close together to still be newbies. So sorry you had a few little issues, but glad all went well. Good Luck and keep us posted of your progress! woo hoo! :lb11: :lb10: :lb9:

FYI: The White Chicken Chili season is made by McCormick...most larger grocery stores has this...

Susanna ~ where in California are you at? I am in San Diego...

Hi Susanna and congrats on your decision to be banded. It is awesome and I am just 2 weeks and one day out from surgery (Oct 8 at OCC) and I feel GREAT! This is by far the best thing I've done for myself in a real long, long time. Are you having your surgery at OCC? You won't fail babe for one thing, you've already made a decision and you will have the tool to assist you. It's focusing on your goal. What I've done is read the guidelines until you fully understand it and if you have questions, talk to your dr until you do understand. Also, I have a daily journal to write down what I eat and drink, my feelings, my mini goals to reach (start small at first) and so sort of mild exercises. Have something to focus on your weight loss as a motivation to keep you on track. I also have a binder to assist me when I come to this forum (Thank goodness for this forum!) and get ideas and tips. Also, we are starting to post a few recipes and I print them and put them in my binder as well. If you don't have a calendar to mark your progress, get one. It is very helpful and as the days goes by, I cross it off with a RED pen...one day close to that goal. Anyway, I am babbling on. But as far as support goup is concern, like Dana says, google it in your area and then come to this forum!! This forum is all I do for me. I can post anything and get replies back of encouragement and suggestions. Looking forward to hear about your progress.

White Chicken Chile Ingredients: 1 pkg White Chicken Chile seasoning (found near the Taco seasoning) 2 cups of water 1 can of corn, undrained 1 can of your favorite white bean (I like Northern White beans), drained 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (boiled for 20 minutes and cubed) 1/2 cup Tomato Paste 1 small onion, chopped Directions: Throw it all in the crockpot on low, go to work, and come home to this! You can serve with Fat Free or Low Sodium saltines). It serves a family of 3 just perfect (husband, wife, teenage daughter) with a little left over for banded person for lunch the next day.

OH! Well, I am not sliming but certainly drooling! I am pushing this baby recipe during my first week of solids next week. YOU'RE KILLING ME Jann!! hahahaha...no, keep them coming. I am going to send out a few tempting recipes too. Thanks for sharing!!

When was your last fill? If you don't feel any restriction, that is an indication that you need one. You don't want to risk stretching your pouch...goodness, you've paid good money for this band. Call your doctor and inquire.

OH! This sounds real good...especially adding the beans!!! Another meal when I start solids next week! Thanks Jann!!

HMPH! hahahaha...okay, so be it! I am going to be prepared and that's it. I will buy then and keep them within reach for 'just in case' episode. Thanks Jann...you are a wealth of information too! ((HUGS!))

Good grief! I feel like I was just re-born and learning to eat and drink again! LOL So I guess we will be PBing or sliming eventually. O-kay! Gotcha. My purse is ready with napkins and a couple of barf bags anyway!! Now how do I use those papaya enzymes? I am not really sure of what it does for me and how to use it either?