Happy Holidays to you ALL!!!!

Weighing in at 194 today - that's a 2 lb weight loss for the week!!!!

Hey, that's pretty darned good going into the biggest feasting holiday of the year. I am armed with my Pumpkin Impossible Pie recipe and my Chocoperfection chocolates, I should be good to go. We are going to my husband's brother's house and I am bringing the dessert. Of course, one regular pumpkin pie, and one for the low carbers. I am also thinking about bringing the cauliflower and cheese bake, since the vegetables will probably consist of potatoes, yams, peas, corn and the like. I think I'll just be stuck with the turkey and the olives. I won't let that happen this year. Not when I just took all of my size 16 and 14 jeans into the consignment shop this afternoon. Nuh uh! No going back for me, it's going forward full steam ahead!!! I hope all of you have a wonderful Holiday season and I am out looking for a bathing suit to go swimming when I get down to visit my folks next week in Florida. Keep thinking about the long term effects and keep smiling. Don't get overwhelmed by all the food at the table. You don't need to eat it all to survive. You need to eat to live, not live to eat.

So much to do, so little time.....

Weigh in 196.0

Hello, I have been so busy here at work and at home, I haven't had any time to write! I've had a bunch of new software rollouts at work and numerous requests for projects and of course, I'm off in a few weeks. I've been super, super hard at work at home too. I did make that Impossible Pumpkin Pie recipe last night, and instead of the Splenda, I added a half cup of DaVinci's sugar free caramel syrup. The pie was good, but not a sweet as I would have liked. I did add some sugar free whipped cream to it, and it helped a bit. I'll have to modify it the next time to suit my sweetness. I just don't like using the crystalized Splenda. I wish I could find the liquid kind. It bakes better.

So, how did all of you do? The holidays are coming. I have stocked my shelves with goodies for the sugar/carb busters. I bought a mix of choc chip cookies from Big Train and also some mocha frapachino too from them. I also have my back up choc bars from Chocoperfection! Thanks Jimmy for all the great hints on the "I feel like I'm cheating" snacks!!!

I've been kind of low lately. My cat was hit by a motorist in front of my house and had to have her tail removed. I've been doctoring her up these last two weeks. Plus the weather is nothing short of dreary and damp. I also lost (what I thought) was a very healthy baby rabbit the other night. I found him out of his nestbox a bit stiff. It's tough to be a breeder of any kind, you have to suffer numerous defeats, Mother Nature can be so cruel. I've also not felt on top lately. I had to go to a viewing on sunday of my husbands cousin. He passed away at 55 from a long battle (four years) with a brain tumor. Wow, sure makes you appreciate all the rest of the days that you have.

Well, back to working. I'm going to try and lose more before I leave for Florida on the 30th. My parents won't recognize me when I get there. I didn't tell them I've lost all this weight, I wanted to surprise them.

Fall foods - Fall forward.......

Well, with the recent time change and all, and the cold nip in the air, thoughts are turning to Holiday foods. I just recently found a great recipe for Impossible Pumpkin Pie. I'll have to list it here in my blog. I thought it would be a good one to try as it makes it's own crust. No need to try to put nuts in it and spoil the whole thing (I'm not fond of nuts in sweet things). I also wanted to tell everyone that even though it gets dreary and dark and cold out, light a fire, walk on the tread mill (if you have one) pick up some weights (or canned food) and do some arm curls. But don't get caught sitting in front of the t.v. with thoughts of snacking. I have plenty to do, since I raise rabbits and have a barn full of critters. I'm always out there, working, cleaning or just enjoying the animals. Be creative it'll help you get through those long winter days!

I also am excited today, I went to my favorite consignment shop and bought two pair of nice pants, both a size 12 and three wonderful looking sweaters - mediums!!!! I am so psyched!!! I just want to put up three way mirrors in my bedroom now........before I didn't even want to PASS one!!! It's so great to go from a size 18 to a size 12 - what an ego booster that is. And the clothes!!!! Wow, there is so much more to be had as a size 12. They don't know what fashion is when you're a size 18 - sad. I feel on top of the world, thank you all for the encouragement to succeed. Well, enough said - here is that recipe......

This smooth, spicy pumpkin pie makes its own crust! Delicious with whipped topping or Breyers Carbsmart vanilla ice cream. Yields: 1 - 9 inch pie Ingredients:

2 cups pumpkin puree
1-1/2 cups Hood Calorie Countdown milk
1 cup Splenda
1/2 cup Carb Quik baking mix
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch pie pan. In a medium mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, milk, sugar, baking mix, melted butter, eggs, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, until mixture is smooth. Pour mixture into pan. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, until set in center. Allow to cool before serving.