Diet week #5… I feel so lost.

I must be honest, I’m just not real sure how to navigate a diet. There were a couple of days that I didn’t write down what I ate. I didn’t even try to follow anything that would resemble a diet, at least not most days. But I somehow managed to lose one pound. So I guess I did something write.

Sunday, 09/23/2018… Coffee!!! No lunch at mom’s as I felt like my COPD was trying to act up. So I made chicken spaghetti for lunch and that is what I ate on the remainder of the day. Washed it down with Cherry Kool-Aid.

Monday, 09/24/2018… Coffee is my best friend!!! I thought I would try to do something that resembled a Keto diet. I made myself a piece of salami wrapped around some mozarella cheese and 1/3 cup of pork n beans. NEVER. AGAIN. It just didn’t taste good to me at all. So much for trying to channel my inner child.

Tuesday 09/24/2018… Coffee… My son made me breakfast in bed!!!! Migas and bacon. The best way to start the day. Unfortunately I cannot tell you anything else I had on this day.

Wednesday… I can tell you that I had coffee. But that is all I can tell you.

Thursday 09/27/2018… Coffee!!!!! I splurged and went to Jason’s Deli. I was craving a Pollo Mexicano Potato. They are HUGE!!!! I had about 1/4 of it for lunch with some added sour cream. Then I had about another 1/4 for dinner.

Friday 09/28/2018… Coffee!!!! For breakfast, I decided to experiment. I mixed 1/4 of my left over baked potato with one egg and scrambled it. It wasn’t the best, but I ate it all. I finished the last 1/4 of the potato for dinner.

Saturday 09/29/2018… Coffee!!!! Today is my youngest granddaughter’s birthday so I am not sure what direction my eating is going to take. I had 3 spoonful portions of Oatmeal with butter, milk and very little sugar. And this is all that I can honestly remember eating. I know I did not have anything at the birthday party. I’m not sure what I had when I got home.

My goal for next week is to keep better track of everything I eat and drink. At least TRY to. I will be making a trip to find a fiber supplement since I feel like I am failing miserably at adding fiber to my diet. I feel like I did better on a more modified Keto plan so that is the direction I will try to go back to VERY SOON!!!!

My cruise is coming up and I would like to shed at least 5 pounds by then, more would not hurt my feelings!!!!

High Fiber, Low Carb diet. Trying to find my way.

After last weeks colonoscopy, it is obvious that I will not be able to maintain a Keto diet. I understand the value of a Keto diet but unfortunately, the things that are to be avoided are the things I need in order to be able to take in a significant amount of fiber. Add in the fact that I have reactions to ALL sugar substitutes… ALL. OF. THEM. It if isn’t sugar, I have an issue ranging from massive migraine and vomiting to rash and itching. This includes Stevia and other “natural” sweeteners.

According to the discharge instructions I received after my colonoscopy, I am to maintain a high fiber diet. No nuts, popcorn, and/or fruit with sharp seeds like strawberries. Since my original diagnosis of Diverticulosis many years ago, I have always stayed away from anything with skin (potatoes), nuts, and seeds so that is really nothing new. But trying to add fiber to a Keto diet just does not seem possible to me. I need grains for fiber. I need beans for fiber. And I need oatmeal for fiber.

I have a couple of good friends that are on Keto diets. And they are doing wonderfully on it. And I fully back their decision to be on it. It works great for them. I just wish I was able to continue on the Keto train. But, unfortunately, I have to make more modifications than I thought I would. So now, I’m going to consume more fiber and probably take 2 FiberCon 3 times a day until I find the perfect balance. But I will also try to be as low-carb as possible. The rest I will just see how it goes.

I found this book and I am hoping it will help me on this newly adjusted diet. I am definitely open for suggestions so if you have any, please let me know.

Modified Keto Week 4… Changes are coming.

Another week and this week, there was a slight increase in my weight by 1 pound. And I’m okay with that considering the week I have had.

Sunday 09/16/2018. Another lunch at mom’s. On this day, I had 1/2 Turkey sandwich on white bread with Monterrey Jack cheese, Mayonaise, and tomato. Later in the afternoon, I had another one exactly the same. For dinner I had 1/2 pimento cheese (homemade by my hubby) sandwich on white bread with mayo. I drank coffee in the morning and Sprite in the afternoon.

Monday 09/17/2018. Today I start the prep for tomorrow’s colonoscopy. Definitely the worse part of the procedure but this time, it wasn’t as bad as it has been in the past. My GI prescribed a medication for nausea and vomiting to be taken before the dreaded prep began and it definitely helped tremendously. But this prep was also different in that it was taken in 2 Steps. On this day, I start step one which consisted of 4 Dulcolax and 1 Compazine to be taken 30 minutes before the prep you drink. I was allowed to have breakfast and a very light lunch on this day. But, I took things very easy. I had 1/2 shredded rotisserie chicken sandwich on white bread with Mayonaise and provolone cheese and some orange jello with Sprite to drink, which I would continue to drink the remainder of the day..

Tuesday 09/18/2018. This morning started with step 2 of the prep. It was the same as yesterday with the exception of Dulcolax. I definitely did not need to take that this morning. It was a long day as my procedure was scheduled for 12:30 which made for a very long day!!!! I’m not sure exactly what time I got home but I believe it was between 2 and 3 pm. Luckily, my son Dawson had made me some Broccoli Cheddar cheese soup and it was ready and delicious when I got home. I must say, it was a new recipe I had found and it was good, but definitely can be improved upon. I had sprite to drink the remainder of the day and I even indulged in some Chocolate Ice Cream!!! I deserved it.

Wednesday 09/19/2018. Before eating anything but after my first cup of coffee, I read the instructions from my doctor. I am still trying to figure it out but basically I must maintain a HIGH FIBER DIET due to moderate Diverticulosis. This will definitely have an impact on any form of a Keto diet. For breakfast on this day, I had 2 pieces of white toast with butter and grape jelly. Lunch was rice with rotisserie chicken and broccoli cheddar soup combined to make a broccoli rice chicken casserole. I must say, it was YUMMY! I had another small serving for dinner.

Thursday, 09/20/2018. Started the day with coffee, but not much as I had to take my mother for a shoulder x-ray. But no worries, we stopped at Starbucks for a Grande White Chocolate Mocha for my mother and a Grande Mocha for me. When I got home, I had 1/2 cup of rice with chicken and broccoli cheese soup. I had the same thing later for dinner. And I drank sprite all day!

Friday, 09/21/2018. Coffee. Just. Need. Coffee. Breakfast/Brunch consisted of 3 pieces of bacon and 2 fried eggs. For dinner, I made chicken spaghetti with the remaining shredded rotisserie chicken, onion, roasted red peppers, Ro-Tel tomatoes and angel hair pasta. And I allowed my inner child to come out and drank Tropical Punch Kool-Aid.

Saturday, 09/22/2018. Coffee. Of course there is coffee on Saturday mornings. I work a double shift every Saturday so there is ALWAYS A LOT OF COFFEE!!!! While working, I had a few Mrs Baird’s Grab N’ Go Powdered Donuts. I needed something that was quick and fast. Late lunch was a bacon, tomato, and mayo sandwich on white bread. Late dinner was 3/4 cup of leftover chicken spaghetti.

And now I get to figure out a new way to shed a few pounds before my cruise in November.

FabFitFun Fall box and September Sephora Play! box.

I love it when I receive subscription boxes!!! Now I’m just waiting for my September StitchFix box!!! This time, I requested some rather specific items from my stylist. I can’t wait to see what she sends me!

Up first, the FabFitFun fall box. This is the second box I have received and it does not disappoint. Since I am new to this subscription box, I did not realize I could pick between some items, like the Vince Camuto Luck tote vs Crown Brush set. But I’m not complaining. My box is basically like all the others I’m sure you have seen on YouTube or read about.

I was planning on purchasing a new BeautyBlender for my upcoming cruise but now I do not need to as there was one in my box!!! Also in the box was Simply Whimsical Tea Towels, Skin&Co Roma Blue in Capri, GlamGlow Bubblesheet Oxygenating Deep Cleanse Mask, Luna Rica Bar, Crown Brush 6 piece brush set in Black + Rose Gold, Alfred French Press, Catherine Malandrino Umbrella in Black/White floral, Grown Alchemist Polishing Facial Exfoliant, and Cuccio Somatology Yogahhh! Detox Bath. I will definitely be taking the BeautyBlender, GlamGlow Bubblesheet, Crown Brush set, and the Catherine Malandrine Umbrella on our cruise.

The retail value breakdown for these products are:

BeautyBlender $20

GlamGlow Bubblesheet $18

Simply Whimsical Tea Towels $14.99

Skin@Co Roma Blue in Capri $22

Crown Brush set $75

Alfred French Press $22

Catherine Malandrino Umbrella $39.99

Grown Alchemist Polishing Facial Exfoliant $67

Cuccio Somatology Yogahhhh! Detox Bath $39.95

And of course, the Luna bar!!!

Total retail value for my fall FabFitFun box is $318.93. Not bad for the $49.99 paid for the box!!!

Now, let’s move on to the Sephora Play! box for September. The price for this box is $10.00 plus shipping. This box contained 6 sample size products. The samples I received are Olehenricksen Truth Serum, Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly, Too Faced Hangover Replenshing Face Primer, Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in (Earth)quake, Sephora Collection LashCraft Big Volume Mascara in Black, and Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb. I’m looking forward to trying these products before our cruise. You never know if I will need to get some of these items, specifically the hydrating ones! They will certainly come in handy!!!

I hope you have enjoyed this blog. Have a great day and week!

My EXTREMELY Modified Keto Diet week #3…

It’s all fun and games until you have an appointment with a Gastroenterologist. Other than that, everything has been all fun and games.

Sunday 09/09/2018 – Another lunch with my mother. Today she wants taco’s from Jack In The Box. Please do not ask why but feel free to blame her dementia, LOL. My son, Dawson, and I both had a Jumbo Jack with cheese and curly fries. I had a DP with mine while Dawson had a Sprite. I just so we are perfectly clear, they were super-sized… or whatever it is they call it. In my defense, that was the only thing I ate that day.

Monday 09/10/2018 – As usual, I started my morning with coffee. I have things to check off my to-do list and one of those things is to get a Prevnar 13 vaccine while I’m at CVS picking up prescriptions. Unfortunately, my stop at CVS took much longer than I expected so I wasn’t able to check off everything from my list, but I did manage to include a stop at Starbucks. After that vaccine, I needed a Grande Mocha AND a cheese danish. Other things I ate today included some smoked sausage as an afternoon snack and brisket nachos (corn tortilla chips, brisket, cheese, salsa, and sour cream). I also drank a tangerine LaCroix with a splash of 7-Up.

Tuesday 09/11/2018 – Woke up with a headache and a very sore left arm. At least I have Excedrin Migraine for the headache!!!! But we will definitely start the day with coffee… LOTS. OF. COFFEE. I was still drinking at 1 pm. Today’s meals consisted of 3 pieces of bacon for lunch. 2 hard boiled eggs for a snack. 1/2 of a brisket quesdilla (corn tortilla, brisket, cheese, sour cream, and salsa).

Wednesday 09/12/2018 – Coffee… 3 pieces of bacon. Cauliflower mash with cheese, and sour cream and brisket (served in a coffee cup so there wasn’t that much). 2 boiled eggs and 3 pieces of bacon is how I ended my feeding frenzy!!! Forgot to mention I did drink 7-up all day.

Thursday 09/13/2018 – GI doctor day… Started my morning with coffee. Didn’t feel like eating since I had an afternoon appointment plus that morning I had to take my mother to her neurologist follow up appointment. My appointment was pretty much what I was expecting… the dreaded colonoscopy!!! Which is now scheduled for the 18th. The doctor informed me that my keto diet (even modified) is not providing me with enough fiber. He has suggested that I take 2 FiberCon 3 times a day with meals (in the middle of the meal). Maybe I should re-evaluate this modified keto diet and see if I can find something that will be a bit more GI friendly for me but still be low carb. After my appointment, I went to McDonald’s and got a Big Mac Extra Value Meal Supersized for Dawson and myself. I’m trying to justify this as necessary since I’m having a colonoscopy real soon. In any case, it is definitely stress eating.

Friday 09/14/2018 – Coffee… Always start the day with coffee. 3 pieces of bacon. small amount of rotisserie chicken from costco. Small amount of steak my hubby grilled. Probably 7-up to drink.

Saturday 09/15/2018. Coffee as usual. Today s a full on cheat day. I’m not holding back!!! I guess is it a good thing that Saturday is the day I pick up my groceries at the WalMart Neighborhood Market. On this day I had some Mrs. Baird’s Grab N’ Go powdered donuts, 3 pieces of bacon, brisket nachos, and possibly the remainder of the powdered donuts.

So, even though I was totally off, I managed to maintain my weight. I’m not complaining at all. I just need to figure out what is the best way for me to continue and still get in the necessary amount of fiber with out have to take 6 capsules a day!!!! I’m open to any and all suggestions.

Modified Keto Week#2… And by modified, I mean whatever!

Sometimes, days seem to run together. Sometimes it’s hard to know what day it really is. If I didn’t work, I probably wouldn’t know what day it is except that I know what days the Real Housewives are on!!! Priorities!!!

Sunday (Sept. 2) is lunch with mom. My mother loves chicken. Especially fried chicken livers. So, I went and picked up our lunch from Chicken Express because they truly have the best fried chicken in our area. So, chicken livers, mashed potatoes, and a Dr. Pepper was on the menu. And it was the only thing I ate that day.

Monday (Sept. 3) was not exactly Keto friendly! Brunch was 2 scrambled eggs with potatoes, roasted red peppers, and onions topped with salsa. Coffee all day… and by all day, it was the only thing I drank throughout the entire day.

Tuesday (Sept. 4) with a bit more Keto friendly. 2 eggs fried in butter served with salsa and 2 sausage patties. Coffee in the morning. 7-up in the afternoon due to an upset stomach. Later I had some smoked sausage and cheese.

Wednesday (Sept. 5) Coffee in the morning. I was bad when I had a Big Red to drink with my brunch, which was Migas (scrambled eggs, chirizo, onion, and salsa). Dinner with a cup of chili with crackers and cheese (but it wasn’t very good).

Thursday (Sept. 6) Follow up doctor appointment this morning so I fasted in anticipation of blood work… and I fasted for nothing!!!! After my appointment, I came home and made a burrito of sorts which consisted of one corn tortilla, shredded brisket, cheese, sour cream, salsa and coffee. Definitely not Keto friendly was the Dr. Pepper I had in th evening. I felt like I deserved it as my doctor was please with my weight loss.

Friday (Sept. 7) 1 Eggo waffle with butter and syrup. Coffee (of course). Dr. Pepper, brisket nachos (tortilla chips, brisket, onions, cheese, salsa, sour cream).

Saturday (Sept 8) Coffee… lots of coffee. Sausage patties, brisket, cheese, and 2 corn tortillas.

This week, I only lost 1 pound and I understand it is probably because of the Dr. Pepper… So this upcoming week, I will do my best to cut back and drink more water and/or tea.

Last week’s modified keto…

Sometimes life just has a way of changing things. Nothing major, just little stuff here and there. But I did manage to shed a couple of pounds.

Last weeks meals consisted of the normal coffee with sugar and creamer in the first cup and nothing in additional cups. There was the consuming of cream cheese queso (cream cheese and ro-tel) with tortilla chips. One day I made chili because it was what I wanted! And it was yummy especially with saltine crackers with unsalted tops. One day I had a “brunch bowl” which consisted of potatoes, 2 fried eggs and 2 pieces of bacon topped with salsa!!!! And it would be wrong of me to not mention the guacamole with a few tortilla chips. Let’s not forget the nachos made with a few tortilla chips, chili (that I made), cheese and salsa. I also consumed some orange flavored LaCroix with a splash of ginger ale and also unsweetened ice tea. I did fast on Saturday but did my best to keep myself hydrated.

So this week, I am keeping track of what I eat… actually writing it down so I can remember!!! And I have a doctor’s appointment on Thursday for my 6-month COPD check and lab work. I cannot wait to get the results of my labs!!!! They were good in March so I’m hoping they are good now!!!

StitchFix #3

It seems like a long wait since the last one in June but at last, I finally received my latest StitchFix box #3!!!

I must admit, when I received the email notification that it was on it’s way, I peaked to see what it was. With this diet I’m on, I decided I really wasn’t mentally prepared for any surprises. I knew before the box arrived that I would probably only be keeping a couple of items but I would keep an open mind while I awaited the arrival.

The box arrived one day after the email notification which caught me totally off-guard! I opened the box and there was a surprise gift inside from my stylist, Erin. I really like her and I feel like she is pretty much on track with items I would like.

Box#3 included:

Bujibaja – Crysti Straw Tote in the color tan (item 59995961) $96.00.

ZSupply – Derick Scoop Neck Knit Top in the color teal green (item 69283466) $34.00

Studio Blue – Kadence Distressed Denim Short in the color white (item 700005579) $38.00

French Grey – Evalynn Brushed Knit Dress in the color red (item 72380051) $48.00

FORTUNE + IVY – Tayler Tie Front Knit Top in the color blue (item 72613753) $38.00

About Box #3… Items being returned.

The tote is $96.00! Seriously… $96.00 for a tote to take to the beach? In all honesty I have several totes that I use for beach time so this is not a necessary item for me. And besides, just because it costs more doesn’t mean it is better. The tote is being returned.

Also being returned is the dress. It isn’t that I didn’t like it or that it didn’t fit. That is not it. I’m returning it because when I tried it on, it just didn’t feel right. So, the dress is in the return bag. I’m a little sad about that, but I’m sure I will get over it.

But I am keeping the 3 remaining items! They are perfect for our upcoming cruise as well as everyday wear in this Texas heat!

The final cost for the 3 items after the addition of sales tax and the credit for the styling fee was $99.09. I’m not complaining about the cost since the quality of the items I’m keeping is excellent. I wonder what my hubby will have to say about it if and when he reads this blog!

I have plans to wear the blue top with my Kut From the Kloth boyfriend jeans I received in my very first StitchFix box on our drive to the port when we go on our cruise. Now I just need to figure out what shoes and other accessories I will need for it. I have not made a definite decision as to whether the shorts and teal shirt will also be going on the cruise or not. But I still have a little bit of time to make that final decision!!!

I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of StitchFix Box #4 scheduled to arrive on September 29!!!

Returning to a modified Keto diet.

After spending one week watching what I ate, I discovered that bread is not a good thing. Corn tortillas are awesome!!! I only lost 1 pound during last week and I’m not complaining. I actually thought I had gained everything I lost while trying a modified Keto plan.

So it is time to start fresh. But some things will never change. I had my usual morning coffee (2 teaspoons of sugar and cream). And that was my morning. Around lunch time, I had a nice salad that consisted of iceburg lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Of course, all good salads are even better with Hidden Valley Ranch dressing.

The afternoon/evening/night beverage of choice was my Orange Favored LaCroix with a splash of Ginger Ale. I needed it for the after effects of a migraine.

I did have a little snack of cream cheese queso (cream cheese and 1 can of RoTel) with pork rinds. I do not think I will do that combination again. I will probably do better with tortilla chips!!!!

I have noticed some ads for low carb tortillas that I have been thinking about trying. Nothing will ever compare to the homemade flour tortillas my grandmother use to make but it might be worth a try.

And that was my day, aside from working. How was your day????

Watching what I eat day 1

As with any other day, I started my morning with coffee that had 2 teaspoons of sugar and Carnation Mocha creamer. It seems a little warm in the house today, so I didn’t have as much coffee as I usually do. Definitely nothing to eat in the morning.

Lunch time rolled around and I had a hamburger patty with cheese and onion with some ketchup on the side for dipping (just in case) and celery with cream cheese. But let’s be honest… the celery was strictly to hold the cream cheese!!! To drink with lunch and the remainder of the day was LaCroix Orange water drink think mixed with a little 7-Up. I’m trying to get use to LaCroix on it’s on, but it could take a little while.

I continue to drink the Orange flavored LaCroix/7-Up mixture and then it happened. Our air conditioner decided to stop working. I’m now a very hot, sweaty mess. No one in the right mind wants to cook when it is hot so for dinner I had a bologna sandwich on white bread with mayo. Hellman’s Mayonaise to be exact. I like it better than the other’s I have tried, actually forced to try by my hubby, bat that’s another issue in itself, LOL.

Now I’m off to see someone in the hospital. I hope everyone has had a great day. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. Or maybe I should go ahead and buy something to keep me cool until the ac is fixed!!!!