Tip #2

Your stomach empties after 3 hours/every three hours. I make it a point to eat then. And I don't care about all these 100-calorie pouch, or dairy (pudding) items, if I want to eat at the end of 3 hours, I still do but I do it healthfully. That is to say, on Sundays, I clean and rinse and slice/chop celery, carrots (not the midget ones), green and/or sweet peppers, cucumber, and then individually wrap them into packets of 3-4 ounces. When I prepare my lunch nightly, I toss a packet in and either Sabra Greek humus or something equivalent (2 Tbsp.) Or, Cabot makes a VERY fat free cheese product, so I munch on 1-2 ounces because of lower calories but it is a protein source. But, like I said before, I have chanpioned not eating anything solid after 7 p.m.

Slim & trim

I've got a little reserve of diet tips. I eat lean protein at every meal. For breakfast, this usually manifests as either Canadian bacon, or turkey sausage, or turkey bacon. Turkey bacon comes as either 99% fat free, or 65% fat free, or 50% fat free. I cast aside the 99%, the 65%, even, and usually broil one-third a pack of 50% bacon (heavy PAM spray on the broiler rack) for the week, and freeze up the remaining two-thirds in plastic wrap for later use. This usually yields me 3 little baggies of 2 bacon slices each. I usually have it (2 slices) with 1 fried over easy large egg, or 2 scrambled egg whites, and 1 slice whole wheat toast. Or, I'll just stick the re-heated bacon (2 slices) up in a piece of whole wheat toast. Other mornings I have 1 whole grain waffle, 2 Tbsp. lite syrup, about 2 ounces fresh fruit, and the meat (see above). Canadian bacon is 99% fat free. Some mornings I'll make a smoothie of 6 oz. 80% fat free yogurt, 1 cup fat free milk, and about one-quarter fresh fruit. Or, 1 slice whole wheat toast & 2 Tbsp. peanut butter OR one little "triangle" "Lite" "Cow" cheese slathered on. I always have coffee with non-fat cream.

Dewey Beach weekend

Bill and I blew into Dewey Beach this past weekend. We hit quite a few spots there, places we always have to relax at. We watched a gorgeous evening unfold at the Raw Bar in Ruddertowne. Then the Starboard, with the seemingly thousands of 20-somethings. We got our favorite steamed crabs, open-air across the street. Then up to the Rusty Rudder for a great cover band. Crowded dance floor. Loud songs I knew. It was all such fun. It really felt like a little northern Duval Street. And while I was way close up to the stage, I did not get on it...(this time). We did the beach Saturday even though it wasn't a perfect beach day. We both bought items for ourselves. I am wearing a cool bronze octopus bracelet. Can't wait for the "big" vacation in Rehoboth in July. I have 2 more days of school and then it's summatime. Son Billy is singing for a different band,"Triple Shot", this coming Saturday up near Sweeney's in Bensalem. We know the band as they have had gigs where "Slaughter Beach" was, too. The drummer for "Slaughter" officially quit, so I guess Billy has to re-group. 'Looking forward to a family wedding the end of June. I bought myself a new cool sequiny dress from one of my catalogues. It's a little big so I am going to have my lady tailor it, rather than send it back.

Key West trip 2009

Everyone will be sick of Bill and I talking about Key West, but we are just happy there. We are in easy, convenient walking distance to Duval Street, where the night life-or day life- is just so fun. Because it takes some bucks to come here, by extension you can reason that there aren't a lot of really young people. There are a lot of people like us-older, at a better earning capacity, kinda' still a little radical, like to party, but do not want hip-hop or rap. With no driving to tether or bind us, you can imagine the freedom that brings. There is wild music and accepting people everywhere. The beach at Smathers is beautiful, even though we take a cab ride to and from daily. We would rather do that-in favor of clseness to Duval-than the opposite. But that is a personal call. And the shops!! It is a little Rodeo Drive. I am not by nature a splurger, so I permit myself to buy outrageously priced items (really, 1 item) every time I come down. This year I got the $249 jeans down closer to $225. Partying with long-time pal Billy Orr and his wife really capped the week off. But I will never forget feeling that tap on my shoulder by a club guy at Durty Harry's nightclub motioning for me to go up on stage (with some young slender woman) while the cover band did Metallica's "Enter Sandman." I know that song!!!!!!!!!!! I rocked to that song!!!!!!!!!! I was really happy. Then, before that night, at "Irish Kevin's", where it is very interactive, the guy issued a call for "teachers." No one was biting. but oh how I wanted to go up. A woman motioned me to go up, she really egged me on, and here she was one, too, but couldn't go up herself. All I know was she was my cheerleader. So up I went. Alone. In the full crowd. I guess the poor guy got a look at me and made a call, because all he had me do was hoist a big dark draft beer glass and drink it down while everyone counted. And so I did. End. I left stage. (He did refer to me as a 3-letter acronym I won't repeat here.) Sensational time. Good tan. Fantasy Fest, anyone, in October?

Aoril 11, 2009 at the Trocadero Theater

As luck would have it, Slaughter Beach-son Bill's band-will take the main stage at the Trocadero Theater on Saturday, April 11, even though Bill and I will be in Key West. It's an afternoon thing, and I will share more details when I have them. We want to be there so bad, especially since husband Bill would also be taking the stage if we were in town then. Let me know if any can make it. Oh- good pal, Billy Orr and his wife, Carol, have committed to joining us on Friday the 10th in Key West for what I am sure will be a blast.

new comings and goings

Well, I did turn over the big 5-0. I was wowed at a surprise birthday party. 'Still watching my diet, and of course still working out. Love the job teaching "bad" kids, or, as the new "p.c." things is, "behaviorally disordered." 'Got the Master's degree. Lost a total-on a good day- of 37 pounds. Now I am shooting for 40. Especially to get ready for Key West. Will be there the week preceding Easter. So will a co-worker. Son Bill's band, Slaughter Beach, is playing at the Trocadero Theater in Philly on Sunday, February 8. Please join. Husband Bill is sitting in on bass. I am loving it. It's why I got skinny!!!!!!!!! We have tix. Saw AC/DC in November. It was great. We rocked out. Met up with son Bill's college pal, Bill, and his dad. Saw Goo Goo Dolls on New Year's Eve. They were very good, but didn't rock like Disturbed or AC/DC. Bill and I recently returned from Rehoboth Beach for a getaway weekend to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. Took a brief hike to Ocean City, Maryland to check out 2 bars- the Bearded Clam and the Purple Moose. Other son, Jesse, is preparing to go into the Merchant Marines. A debt of gratitude goes out to his Uncle Dean Bradford (I should say Captain Dean Bradford). Next highlight-Feb 15 Daytona Beach NASCAR race here. Complete with zeps.

Boosting Metabolism

I can't thank Curves enough for the great and timely information about the importance for revving up one's metabolism after menopause. In terms of diet and weight loss, it worked wonders for me. I have lost 33 pounds in 9 months. Slow and steady to be sure. But you don't need to go to Curves and join their weight & diet plan-"the 6-Week Solution". And "boosting" your metabolism can be achieved at anytime, menopause or not. Unfortunately the time-honored virtues of commitment and passion have to accompany your successful weight loss dream. (Oh...and exercise is included.) At least that worked for me. Today I found a 3-year-old photo of myself in a bathing suit, circa 174 pounds! Coupled with a brand new one of me this summer, I am ready to oblige Curves' request that I furnish them "before" and "after" photos of myself for their wall. My new goal is now to step up on the strength training-weight lifting- so I can sculpt my leaner body now. My son said I have the body of a "50 year-old celebrity". Well, not yet.

Check out this web page: http://weightloss.suite101.com/article.cfm/metabolismtraining
This one is more what-to-eat and how-to-eat oriented: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0846/is_1_23/ai_107488120