AnninTX

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So much has been going on lately.  I can finally see clearly out of both eyes.

I am taking a long hard look at my priorities.  I am so good at taking care of my responsibilities to others and no so good at making myself a priority.  I didn't get to see the Oprah show on Wednesday with Nancy Macklin who has lost 530lbs but I did read the synopsis today.  I am so happy for her.  I can't help but look at a story like that and wonder why I can't get it together.  She lost all that weight.  I can't seem to make myself exercise everyday or ask for support.  I am looking for support and therapy groups currently in Dallas.  I need more than a social outlet.  I also need a walking buddy so I have someone to be accountable to.

I am going to keep plugging along.

I was called for jury duty yesterday.  I feel guilty but I was delighted when I was #22 out of 25 potential jurors for a criminal case needing 6 people.  I just knew they would get six before my name came up.  After a day full of lots of waiting and all the procedures, we finally got called back into the courtroom about 2:30.  Slowly and deliberately they call #1___, #2___, #3___, #4___, #5___, and #6  ME!  I have been selected the last four times I have been called for jury duty.

I have so much to get done this week including my six week post op visit with Dr Arnold's office from my revision surgery, taking a friend for lasix surgery testing,  and getting to the San Antonio Conference to support Yvonne.

At 5:00 today, we had only heard half the witnesses in the case.  I have to report again in the morning.  This could go on all week.  I am honored to do my civic duty but I am frustrated beyond belief.  Nothing I want or need to do is getting done.  Plus the substitute at work is new and is having a very hard time.  No telling all the mess I will have to fix when I return.  Today when I checked in with the office when we had a break, I was told she couldn't get the four phone lines to work so she reprogrammed everything.  Yikes!  I even went to the office last night to get some things done that only I know how to do.  I should go by tonight but I am really tired.  I know it is stupid to be tired from sitting for two days.  I haven't walked or exercised and that feels rotten.  I was smart enough to take a little cooler with protein, water, cheese, and protein bars thank goodness.

I hope everyone that goes to San Antonio will give Yvonne McCarty a big ole hug from me.  She is a shining example of "love in action",

                    Did I mention I AM SO FRUSTRATED?

Aloha Julie!!!!

These are some of my favorite snacks!!!! They are so very simple to make. You can use any type of cheese but to be honest, the best types are to use a hard, grateable cheese. 

I use a block of Parm-Reggiano and I also add in Irish Dubliner cheese (OMG! If you haven't tried this.. I highly recommend it! It lasts a long time and has such a great taste!!!)

Grate about 1 1/2 cup of hard cheese (parmesan/reggiano), or any other hard type of cheese. After you grate them, add 1 egg to the mix with 1 tablespoon of flour. Add a little bit of pepper (usually do not have to add salt because the cheese tends to have a decent amount of salt). 

Heat your oven to 400 degrees. 

I use a my favorite pampered chef pizza stone to bake them on...they dont burn and area easily removed without breaking. You can use a regular pan but make sure you use some non-stick spray. 

Scoop a bit of the cheese mixture into your palm and form into a cracker size round. 
Place them about an inch apart. I can usually make at least a dozen or so. If you want to triple the batch, you can do so and freeze them and use them in the future. 

Bake them for about 5-7 minutes. They will spread about a bit so make sure you place the cheese rounds about 2 inches apart.

You should keep an eye on them. You can tell when they are ready when the aroma of cheese fills the air and they are a bit bubbly. You don't want them to be too brown around the edges or too dark. That means they will taste a bit burned. 

Take them out of the oven when they are melted and just a little brown on the edges. Remove from the pan immediately and place on a cooling rack. 

VOILA!!! You have cheese rounds that are a good source of protein. I tend to add toppings to them like proscuito and cucumber... or if you want, you can add pepperoni (tastes like a little cheese pizza!). I have also served them with hummus and even guacamole... Whatever you like as a topping. 

Hope this helps! 
They are so easy to make AND there is something about cheese that is a comfort food. Heck, I even have been known to take mozeralla cheese, herbs and garlic and baked them in a pan using the broiler just to eat the gooey-cheese! LOL 

Let me know how they turn out for you!
Hugs,
Kathie

Even though I just had my revision one month ago there is something I have learned in my 54 months of being post op from the original RNY.  Exercise is the key to sustained weight loss.  I have been fortunate to get my eating, vitamins, water exactly where they should be.  I have yet to become one of those people who LOVE exercising.  One of my goals is to have exercise become a daily habit just like taking my vitamins and meds is.  In four and half years, I have never once missed a day.  I need that kind of discipline when it comes to exercising.  It is tough at 450 and 423 and 356 and 330lbs.  What I know is that I don't have the luxury of skipping meds or vitamins because the potential consequences are too great.  I am working hard to get that same belief system and practice in my head about exercise.

Just in case getting enough exercise is an issue for you, I wanted to share an experience I had from yesterday.  I am looking for every opportunity to incorporate habits that will support my exercise goals.  Yesterday I checked my mailbox and found a mailer from the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas in it.  Usually they run a special membership offer every January called "Join Now and Pay the Day".  The usual joiner's fee is equal to the date.  So if you join on the 1^st, your joiner fee is $1. Join on the 2^nd and you pay $2…you get the picture.  I figured I would have to wait until January to re-join and save the approximately $100 joiner's fee.  Also, the Y is great about considering all members of the same household as a family to get their family rate.  I took receiving the mailer as a sign from the universe and took myself to the Park Cities YMCA and rejoined. It felt great to save money and do something good for myself too. All the YMCAs I have been to in Dallas have great facilities, classes, sports, health and fitness equipment, and caring staff.  You can get more info at www.ymcadallas.org or 214) 880-9622.

On a side note, when I arrived my favorite staff member from years ago was at the desk and she looked great.  She was delighted to see me and shared that she had gastric bypass.  See it was just meant to be that I joined.  I get exercise equipment, water aerobics, trained staff, fitness assessments, and a supportive bariatric person on site.

Anyone want to join me at the Y??