Christmas cookies

Sue Grafton's L novel was annoying. So much so, that I didn't finish reading it but jumped to the last chapter after reading it over half way. Aside from Kinsey, the characters were totally unlikeable. I'd rather not read about characters I don't like. I haven't started a new mystery yet but have been reading the latest Valdemar anthology. Perhaps I will devote a different blog to it. It has been a satisfying read.

No, my obsession du jour is Christmas cookies. First I tried twiddling with the toll house cookie recipe a la Alton Brown but was dissatisfied with the results. When not stored in an airtight container the cookies became rock hard. Not Good Eats. But AB is not necessarily to blame since I didn't follow his recipe exactly. Next, I made them the way I usually do according to the recipe on the package substituting 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar for the 3/4 cup each in the recipe. I used Brooke's scoops to portion the dough and was pleased with the results. I like using the scoops--they made for more uniform cookies that were well shaped. I am not compelled to eat them one after another. What's up with that?

The next experiments where shape cookies. I used AB recipe for sugar cookies but wasn't thrilled with the taste. I used Joy of Cooking's Gingerbread people recipe. I haven't tasted it yet. Brooke had a little cookie cutting and decorating party at her house for which I supplied the dough and cutters and she supplied supper, icing and guests. It was an enjoyable time but I pooped out before everything was finished and came home. I need to pick up my portion of the results later. I discovered that, like painting pottery, decorating cookies is not my forte. Brooke, Virginia and Nadia, however were pros.

Next on my list will be Mexican Wedding Cakes (Joy of Cooking) and Date Nut Balls. If either of those fail to please me, I'll know something is wrong; they are two of my favorites.

I still need to get a gift for Ali (I know what I'm getting him) and something for the other relatives (I have no clue) but I will wait until I feel better--maybe Thursday.

It's a mystery to me.

Well, I am nine months away from C.H.I.P. and I am back to being a carnivore. I have cut back on the amount of meat I eat. For example, I used only 1/4 lb. of ground beef in the pot of spaghetti I made the other day.

Over the past year, I have dabbled in several thing (see the subtitle of this blog). The one up for discussion today is mysteries. Yes, along with most of the female population that I know, I have started reading, rather obsessively, mysteries. I'm not sure which author I began with but I wouldn't be surprised if it was Nevada Barr. It was either her or Rita Mae Brown. I like to check with my favorite website: Fantastic Fiction . The web site gives lists of the series written by each author listed and in the order they were written.

I found that I could not read one Nevada Barr novel after another. They are too intense. Elaine maintains that the best qualities of a good mystery are characters and plot. Nevada Barr's novels are tightly plotted and loaded with wonderful characters. What's more, the main character, Anna Pigeon, grows quite a bit as the novels progress. Barr's big hook, however, is setting. Each novel is set in a different National Park. Given the dangers our hero encounters is enough to put you off camping! And that's another thing. The heroes of mysteries seem to fall into some peril in the last chapter of the novel. Anna, however, gets royally beaten up or almost killed in every book I've read so far. I would think that she would have lasting physical effects from all the trauma. (I think she does have to get away from it all in the novel after the next one I'm due to read.)

The next author I tackled was Rita Mae Brown and her Sneaky Pie series. I liked all the characters but I found the series quite a bit lighter than Barr's and not so tightly plotted. I read her as much for the story as for the mystery. One really does need to read this series in sequence to keep up with all the changes. I liked the way Harry mellows and begins to get along better with characters that were drawn rather harshly in the early novels. The hook for her novels--talking animals who contribute to the solving of the mysteries. They only talk to each other, so don't rank these books with fantasy.

I got into Laura Lippman throught the AARP Page Turners Book Club on the web. Lippman's hook is the city of Baltimore, which she obviously loves. Her main character, Tess Monaghan, goes through quite a bit of development. I loved her boyfriend, Crow, but didn't find him as believable as all her other characters. For plotting, she is denser than Brown but not as intense as Barr. Definitely re-readable.

Now I am reading Sue Grafton. I thought her A and B novels were weak and her character not very well developed but she has grown. I'm up to J now and am enjoying the mysteries more. One thing that bothers me is the amount of trivial detail. Grafton lets us know every time Kinsey brushes her teeth or locks her car. Maybe she's trying to impress us with Kinsey's methodical, cautious ways. Getting into these characters is like having friends you meet in the books. You feel sorry when the series is finished. Since all of these books are on my Kindle, it will be easy to visit them again.

Elaine is going through the mystery section of her library, reading women authors alphabetically. Following that lead, I have been exploring the Fantastic Fiction lists alphabetically, choosing authors that have four stars (too many, otherwise). I've read Murder with Peacocks by Donna Andrews. It went well enough that I will read more but the plotting was loose. I think its what you call romance mystery. We'll see. I also read the first Agatha Raisin novel by M. C. Beaton. I am familiar with the Hamish Macbeth series from the TV series. I loved the characters but never really saw the episodes as mysteries. The characters in the Agatha Raisin novel are wonderful. Agatha is a crusty, quirky delight and the people who surround her likewise. I think I will read Beaton and Grafton in tandem with a Barr novel thrown in once in a while for variety.

30 Days of C.H.I.P.

I finished the 30 day Coronary Health Improvement Project and, coincidentally, physical therapy this week. I kept pretty strongly to the CHIP dietary guidelines although I succumbed to sugar in the last week. I didn't lose any weight. My blood pressure was lower but I don't trust the measurement since the cuff was the wrong size. I hope that my doctor's office will call Monday afternoon with the blood test results. If there is no difference, not only will I be discouraged but also I will probably decide not to go the "graduation" on Thursday evening.

I have been feeling better physically. I am able to go up weird stairs (St. Louis front step--irregular high risers) like a normal human instead of step by step with a great deal of effort. I am not content to just sit in my recliner all day. The dark side of that is that I tend to do more than I should. Like today, for instance. I changed the sheets on my bed, did two load of wash (3 trips up and down stairs), de-cluttered the living room and vacuumed and made stir-fry for lunch. All that activity, of course, gave me a back ache so I am relegated to lying on a heating pad or kicking back in the recliner. Some day. . .

C.H.I.P.

Today is the first day of the jump start for the Coronary Health Improvement Program. I had steel cut oatmeal and a banana and blueberries for breakfast. Lacking creativity, I had the same thing for lunch but it was not as satisfying. I only have two days of eating only grains and fruit and I am so glad. I went to the store and got some grapefruit and oranges and fresh pineapple. I also got some Bob's Red Mill 6 grain hot cereal. I am not feeling very enthusiastic about this but I can do it for two days. I would season the grains creatively but I don't really have a clue. Salt is verbotten as well as sugar. Perhaps garlic and ginger?

Fasting in the 2010s

When I got up (late) this morning, I didn't turn on the TV. It was nice and quiet and I decided to fast from electronics: no TV, no computer, no electronic games, no cell phone. I didn't fast all day long--just until about 3:00. This is what fasting is for me. I never understood or got value from fasting as a Muslim. It was stressful and ultimately made me sick. But fasting from electronics was peaceful. I read and was quiet. I'm going to do it again, perhaps when Jim is off in Crestwood, perhaps sooner.

I've started reading Karen Armstrong's The Case for God. I have been reading only fantasy and science fiction for a long time; I doubted I'd be able to read something serious. But with the electronic fast, my mind was quiet enough to become immersed in it. I wonder if being vegetarian helped clear my mind, too.

Nutrition

I have no idea if I am getting proper nutrition. I just eat whatever I can that isn't meat (and preferably not cheese or eggs but I will do eggs in a pinch). I am looking forward to the C.H.I.P. sessions to begin. It will give me the guidance I need. I have had a couple of recipe disappointments. I did find some frozen dinners that look good and seem balanced.

Words, words, words

"Words, words, words. I'm so sick of words." If Professor Higgins really believed that it was Eliza's language that kept her back he would never have dressed her up and taught her to dance.

Going vegetarian

December 12 was my first day as a vegetarian. It hasn't been hard going meatless; I guess I'm ovo-lacto since I do eat cheese for now. I'm not sure I'm getting all the nutrients I need but I'm working on it. I've found that I like my steel-cut oatmeal with raisins and a banana and no sugar! Today, after shopping (in vain) for the perfect recliner, I went to House of India for the buffet. Yum! For dinner tonight, I plan on having spaghetti with Morningstar Farms crumbles and see how I like them. It's an adventure. In mid-January, I hope to be joining a C.H.I.P. group for guidance in going vegan.

Flounder is not just a fish

That pretty much describes what is going on. Ostensibly, I have been doing the WW Core program but with lots of variations. The truth of the matter is that I have lost motivation again. There is a weight above which is unacceptable to me. When/if I reach that, I eat circumspectly that day. Otherwise, my goal is to eat when I am hungry and not eat when I am not hungry and when I want to nibble but know I am not hungry, find something else to do.

I cooked a bunch of food (good stuff) and froze it so I have meals for a few days. I am enjoying cooking again. The trick is to get rid of the baked goods by foisting them off on someone else as soon as I can after baking them, but I do like to bake! My geology class was the recipient of muffins (which I said displayed metamorphism). I think Jim likes the yummy banana bread I just made. I have blueberries for muffins (and to enhance my oatmeal).

This weekend is a work-both-days weekend so I won't be doing much cooking. Next weekend, Hassan is coming; I intend to cook a lot then if he wants to or not. We can cook together or I can cook while he visits with his dad and his brother. Whatever.

One week on Core

I made it through, imperfectly, one week on the WW Core Plan. It's ok. I still have cravings for things like candy corn or bagels with butter but on the whole, its not bad. Whole wheat pasta will take a little getting used to--its the texture, not the taste. I made a pot of chili today that I will eat tomorrow and the rest of the week. I did it by cooking up 2 lbs. of ground beef, mushrooms and onions. Approximately half of the mixture went into the chili (Bush chili beans are core), along with other seasonings, a can of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes with green chilis (I didn't even realize I had bought that kind of diced tomatoes until I saw something green in the pot). For lunch, I took some of the ground beef mixture, put it over polenta and added taco sauce. It was quite tasty.

I am finding that I like to have my main meal at lunch. It makes sense. I eat a hearty lunch and when I get hungry again, I can have a lighter evening meal. Since I had lunch so late this afternoon, I'm still not ready for supper.

It is viciously cold out tonight. I will think twice about going out for aquasize. I have pretty much decided to drop out of both classes but use the techniques that worked well for me on my own. The teachers get bothered when I don't do exercises that cause me pain/discomfort and want to help. I just want to be left alone to do what works for me.

Soup--it is soup weather. Cauliflower soup. Chicken barley soup sounds good too. That will give me a project for the evening.

Maybe This is OK

I started the WW Core Plan on Tuesday. I must admit that I am not being rigid about it. This week, I want to get used to it so I am not counting things that I eat that are not on the Plan. In defense of myself, I have to say that there is very little that I am eating off-core. For example, I am totally on core today so far.

What makes the plan work for me this go-around is the fact that I eat almost all of my meals at home, that, and the fact that a) I like to cook and b) just about everything I like to make is core or can be with slight adjustments (e.g., less oil). This morning, I cooked three entrees that I can use throughout the week: chicken chop suey, the sauce for lubya pollo (an Iranian chicken and green bean dish), and chicken curry (a dish I made up: chicken, onions, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, frozen green peas and lots of seasoning). I'm pooped.

I am aware that this is the "Honeymoon" period where it is all new and interesting. Snacks are a bit of an issue. I have plenty of fruit and popcorn but I need more. I had some cherries last night that were tasteless. I need to research through all those magazines I have.

Yesteday, I made polenta for the first time. I can't believe how easy it was! I had a large slice of the fresh warm polenta with guacamole that I bought from Whole Foods. Technically speaking, I shouldn't be eating polenta for a snack but it was so good! I can't get over the fact that avocado is a core vegetable. Whole wheat couscous is another newfound treat. I like it with the chicken curry dish that I make.

My activity for the day will be the cooking and doing the laundry. We'll see how it goes--I might get in 10 minutes on the stationary bike. I went to my aquasize class last night but only lasted 35 or 40 minutes. It was bothering my knees and back. I went Tuesday and have decided to drop out of that class. The exercises that instructor has us doing are far too strenuous for me-- too much twisting plus strength training that is more than I can do and that hurts my hands. On Tuesdays, I'll just go to the pool later and workout on my own. This Sunday, I should be able to make it to my Sunday class.

I have gotten off track as far as activity goes. I need to review the Choose to Move e-mails to re-motivate myself. I use the stairs on the days I go to class--that is at least 3 flights, more if I park on the 2nd or 3rd level.

The dogs are barking; I guess I'll let them in. It is so warm out, I wish they would stay out longer. It gives them something to do and wears them out. I have Loki every day for the next week.

Core Plan

I hestitated to entitle this post "Starting Over Again" because if I titled every post that signified starting over with that title, I would have a lot of posts with that title. I have decided that I am totally burned out on counting points and keeping a journal so I have committed myself to one month using WW Core Plan. I don't have to count anything (unless it is not a 'core' food) and I don't have to write anything down. I think WW encourages keeping track of healthy eating, eg., how many servings of vegetables, dairy, etc. but I'm not going to think about that. At least not this week. This week is devoted to getting the fridge and the pantry stocked and planning meals and snacks.

Since I cleaned out the pantry and the fridge already, I am in pretty good shape. All those Kashi bars and WW cakes and bags of pretzels are not core--basically all my planned snacks. I do have some core popcorn on hand. I need to get fresh fruit.

My breakfast, Irish oatmeal, minus the dried fruit, is already core. I will substitue fresh or frozen fruit for the dried--no big whoop. My lunch, a Subway sandwich or salad, is not core so it will have to be counted for points. If I switch to a Grilled Chicken or Club salad with my own salad dressing, that is only 2 or 3 points (as opposed to 5 for a sandwich).

I will need to cook my dinners instead of relying on Lean Cuisine. The good thing is that my favorite Iranian meals are, or easily can be. core. The plan is to make two or three entrees and then vary them through the week.

The big problem is snacks. My usual snack has been carbohydrates: Kashi bars, WW cakes, etc. On the core plan I can have fruits, vegetables, nonfat milk and popcorn. This will take some retraining. And some shopping.

For tonight, I have the makings for Peruvian Chicken Ragout--totally core--for dinner. After my aquasize class tonight, I will hit the grocery store. Stay tuned, buckaroos.

The workout room

Well, that's a little optimistic calling it a "workout room" but I do have the stationary bike set up in the second bedroom. There really isn't room for much else: the bed is on its side against the wall in front of the window, the CD shelves are on the opposite wall, the computer is on the third, in front of the bike, and the fourth wall is by the door. It is the smallest room in the house after the bathroom. After Hassan's visit, maybe I'll put the bed in the basement--that will give me more room. With this set up I can watch TV on my computer or watch the programs I have saved or listen to music or watch DVDs. I'm not going to do it today because I have aquasize tonight. I haven't been to a class since last Thursday. A scheduling snafu kept me from going Tuesday night.

My other activities--yesterday Susie and I got the treasurer's report ready for the annual meeting. I went to my first Geology class and today I had my first lab. I'm liking this class. I took my topographical map jigsaw puzzle and the teacher set it up on a spare cart for anyone to work on.

I think that keeping to my normal breakfast and lunch and eating moderately for dinner will work. At least I don't think I have gained weight. I made muffins the other day and have been snacking on them. They are bran muffins that leave me feeling full. I like having a week of respite from journaling and counting points.

Sunshine!

At last we have sunshine! Even though it hasn't been cold, it has been dreary. Now we get the cold and sunshine. I think I'd rather have the sunshine.

It has already been a productive day after a night of much interrupted sleep. I've hung cup hooks over the sink and work area to hang measuring spoons and cups--the things I have to rummage through the drawer for most. It is also a work day at St. Mark's as we get ready for the annual report and annual meeting.

Yesterday, I went to Borders, read quite a bit and baked muffins. I plan on being more active today. Ali picks up Loki sometime this afternoon/evening and I have my aquasize class in addition to the aforementioned book work. Maybe I'll even get the stationary bike set up. It could happen.

Loki chewed up the thread I bought for my trial quilt. It remains to be seen if any of it is salvageable. [I love spell checkers!] Well, I am off to clean out the cat boxes. Ain't we got fun!

Off and running today. I've already updated the Focal Point site and am making plans for the day. Bingo and Loki got weird on me at 3 in the morning. I think they expected me to feed them. Guess again. Right now, they are banished to outside. They need to work off their energy as long as it is not raining.

I almost fell asleep at work yesterday. Only one reference question all day (4 hours)! I'm sure this is the last day that will happen. Weekend classes started this weekend but other classes don't start until Tuesday. I am looking forward to classes; I fear my mind is turning to mush.

I am fearful, too, of not working so much. I know I can live within my income. The question is, can I keep myself active and engaged. I feel myself more and more just wanting to stay home and not exert myself. Maybe it is time to go back to volunteering at KDHX. Something to think about.

Exercise Room

I am thinking about setting up my bike in the computer room. I have one of those adapters that turns your regular street bike into a stationary bike. If I prop the bed against the wall, I'll have room. Since I can watch TV on that computer I will have something to do while I bike. This great idea came to me as I was doing my time in the Y pool.

Bingo and Loki are playing the "if you have it, that must be the chew bone I want, not the one I have" game. Today is the first of four that I will have Loki around the clock. What makes it interesting is that Jim is dogsitting elsewhere and won't be around as much as usual. He worked out his schedule so he could take care of the 'boys' while I work today. (First day back of this semester). My class starts on Wednesday. I'm going to take my textbooks to work today and get a head start on the reading. So far, the day sounds pretty low-key (as opposed to Loki). Whatever.

Week off

I am tired of constantly thinking about food. I am not going to journal this week. I am not going to count points. I am going to blog about what I do not what I eat.

Today, I am going to the Y and spend a lot of time in the water (in my new swimsuit). Then I'm going to the library. I don't know what else I am going to do since the weather is so crumby. I intend to have a nice week. On Sunday, I get Loki for four days so it should be interesting.

Looking for the key

Yeah, yeah. It's a little late for a morning blog. Whatever.

Yesterday was not terrific. I was appalled at how much I thought about food. I was over points by a lot. I have to get a life! The good news is that aquasize felt good. This morning my butt was really tired but it was a good feeling. I liked the sets of exercises the teacher had us doing. They worked for me. I won't be able to go to class on Sunday so I hope that the roads are clear enough on Saturday that I can go and work out independently.

One thing I have noticed is that when I eat fatty foods, like cheese or low fat sour cream, I have a high level of satisfaction--more than the satisfaction from sweets. This morning, in addition to my oatmeal, I had a whole wheat English muffin with peanut butter. It was high points (2 for the muffin, 5 for the peanut butter) but it did last me until lunch. But then, I ate breakfast late...so maybe it wasn't so effective. But then, I have had a good energy level today in contrast to the grumps I have had the past couple of days and I don't feel the need for the 4 o'clock snack. I need more information, more experience.

The other good news: I bought a new swimming suit today 2 sizes smaller than the one I was using! Tomorrow is weigh day. I think I'll have shrimp for supper. It is 3:30 and I only have 9 points for the rest of the day.

New Routine

I am going to switch to a morning blog/check-in. I am much more thought-full in the morning and I can accurately report on the previous day. Even though I may be walking into walls, I am a morning person, at least as far as mental processes go.

Maybe that partly explains why evenings are so bad, food-control-wise. I lose all motivation around 4 o'clock. "Why do I have to do this? Why does it matter? I want to eat what a I crave, not what is planned or wholesome." If I could figure out and tame that mechanism, I could make a fortune.

To approach the problem scientifically, I should start with observation. (I should start with a valid sample size, but just me will have to do). So today, I will journal all my impulses. Do not worry, dear diary, I will spare you the details. That is what Word is for.

[Pause to let a barking Bingo out--maybe this is why I haven't blogged in the morning before. Morning drama.]

I just kinda lost it yesterday. Not totally. I ate thoughtfully but not nutritiously. I knew what I was doing; I just did it anyway. I had been craving candy corn, so I got some and ate it. Ostensibly, I had stopped at the store for vacuum cleaner bags and fresh spinach. At first I journaled everything I ate but then I just let it go. Food circles started: the candy corn was too sweet--I needed a bagel and cheese to clear my palate. That could have gone on indefinitely with bagel-mouth craving something else but I didn't do that. A minor victory. I was tired so I went to bed instead of eating more (at 8:15), another minor victory. I noted the fact that I was really inactive and kinda achy. All pieces of the puzzle.

Today is another day. Finnegan, begin again. We are deep in the budget preparation/annual report time of year at St. Mark's, definitely a stressful period, and I need to go work on numbers some more. Aquasize tonight and then the vestry meeting.

[Pause to deal with barking Loki. Coffee is finished. Start the day.]

True confessions

True confessions time. Just because I am on points when I blog, doesn't mean that I stay on them for the day. Bedtime is a tough time and I have gone over points a couple of times this week. But I write it all down and trudge on.

Tonight I had my first aquasize class. I did pretty well at not feeling that I had to keep up. I worked hard not to overdo it. Tomorrow will tell. I figure that at least I was moving constantly for 55 minutes. That is a good thing.

And I am on points for today. I could swap out 2 activity points but I 'd rather not. I'll note tomorrow how I did today.

My deep thought for today is:
One can only stay in a state of heightened alertness for so long before you lose your edge. After that, training, discipline and habit take over. I am at that stage now. This is a kind of a re-framing of the “I don’t want to do this any more” mood. The thrill is gone; now it is work.

So what have I got? I have my habit of the same breakfast and lunch to fall back on. That is a good thing. I don’t rely on mood or whim to determine what I am going to eat. If I want variety, I can vary what fruits I put in my oatmeal and whether I have turkey or beef for lunch and what veggies to use. For dinner, I am presently out of any pre-prepared entrée (except for Lean Cuisine dinners) so I need to make a menu for the week. I want to use stuff I have on hand; my larder is full.

Other things I have in line: I have registered for Deep Water aerobics on Tuesday and Thursday nights and Sunday mornings. To round out my exercise plan, I need to do weight training on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday and I have entered it in my PDA. These are good things. And classes at Forest Park start soon so I will have activities so that my whole life is not centered around what I eat (and what kind of life is that?).