Tuna Salad recipe...but with no mayo

I know...another post in the same day...but this is so good..  So I was trying to find some recipes for a new tuna salad recipe without mayo...and boy did it turn out good..  I just kind of threw it together...and it was so good.  I am excited I get to have it for lunch tomorrow and the next day and the next day...lol....

1 pkg tuna
2 avocados
1 small onion (chopped very fine..almost minced)
chopped hard boiled eggs (I used 4 but you could use less)
salt/pepper
juice of one lemon

I mixed all that together.  In separate bowl I mixed 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar...mixed them together and then poured it over the tuna mixture. You could also add celery (didn't have any on hand).  This would also be nice with a slice of tomato too...

Hope you enjoy...night all..
Lora

One week post-op...

I met with doctor on Tuesday...  Everything went well...  I had lost 28 pounds...YAY!  He has also OK'd me to move on to the next stage of food....even bigger YAY YAY!  I am so excited now that I get to eat with a fork...instead of drinking/sipping everything.  This morning I had a scrambled egg...I was so excited..  I love breakfast and eggs are my favorite.  I was able to eat half of the egg...and then I was full.  I am still learning how to determine when I am full.  My chest gets tight...when I am full...so now I know the sign...I just have to look out for it.  I am terrified of what happens if I overeat... I really hate to be sick.  So I would rather be on the other side (eating just enough and then stop)..  Drinking is still going good... I can get in about 40 oz of water...I am sipping all day...but I do get it in.  So that is the physical stuff...now on to the harder stuff...my mind.  This is where I struggle the most and all throughout the day.  I am physically full....but I crave certain foods and I want it really bad.  I also am trying to stay away from TV...the commercials are awful.  Then to top it off... I am dreaming about food that I know is bad for me...  Every time I start thinking about theses things..I try to think of something else...and I do OK..It is just a struggle for me and I assuming it is going to stay with me for awhile.  So... I will need to take one day at a time....and when those things come up...try to think of other things and/or move around and do something productive.  I feel like I am airing out dirty laundry...  I just know it will be struggle and I am up for the challenge...because in the end..I want more for me and my family.

So plan of action...  I have decided to take a picture of myself (now don't get all weird..I will not show it on here) every two weeks and weigh myself.  I also plan to keep a journal of what I am eating and when.  Might have to get crafty in my craftroom and make a journal...hmmm...

Thanks again to everyone for all their well wishes/cards/notes...  I really appreciate them all...

Oh yeah...almost forgot..I have pasted a link below about the procedure I had done..  I know some of you had some questions (thanks Anne for the link).

http://www.wlshelp.com/gastric-sleeve.html


Talk soon,
Lora

Note Pads..

My idea for this blog was to share my journey through weight loss but to also include some things that I make..  Today I spent the day in my craftroom..I had so much fun just having a little time to myself.  I made these little notepads to put in your purse or bag...see how cute. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week... I am heading back to work tomorrow..YAY (not)..just kidding.

Talk later,
Lora

Grocery Store...

Today was a great day...  Got up and around and was actually gone from the house for about 3 hours..  I was tired half way through...but I was so glad to get out of the house.  One of our stops was Walmart to buy groceries..  I have been so blessed that Dewayne and Grady have either been eating at Mom and Dad's or they would go out to eat....so I didn't have to cook or smell all the good food..  But you know..life does go on...and I need to move on..  So I am starting out slow...I am only buying food that are not my favorites (this probably won't last long)...spaghetti, tacos, brown rice jambalaya, etc...  Anyway.. I have to start somewhere..  I have always loved to cook and prepare meals..now..I will just prepare healthier versions...and somewhere down the road I will be able to eat a little of it..  I am still have the feeling I will never eat the food I love again...but I will...a much smaller, healthier version.  I am always up for a challenge...and this will be one for sure..  So tonight I fixed dinner..it went great...I made tacos for the boys...the kitchen was so nice (I had the windows open the cool air was coming in..and as always..listening to my super 70s...it was great).  I had two spoonfuls of strawberry/banana yougart...it was good...but there are more things that I (me) chose to think about.  Instead of thinking of the bad..(wish I could eat that..why did I do this..how could I let myself go that way..I am so hungry)... I decided to think of all the things I am happy for and thankful for....having a dinner with my family, listening to the birds outside with the cool breeze coming in, thankful that we are all healthy, thankful that Dewayne has a great job now (and he is happy)...so many things.  I know that was pure Pollyanna...but it does make a difference.  So onward I go...a new day, a new beginning, learning new things (how to cook healthy food for my family, etc..)..I am excited and ready to continue on...

Lastly...Anne (my youngest sister) has always loved four-leaf clovers...and she can always find them.  The day of my surgery...she sent me two texts...she found not one but two four-leaf clovers and sent the pictures to me..good luck for me....see the pictures below. 

Thanks so much for all the kind words/messages...my family and friends are so important to me...I thank God everyday for you all..

Talk soon,
Lora

On the Mend....

I am on the mend...YAY...finally ...  Surgery went well on Monday...started late though.  Finally got to my room at 7:30...  Didn't sleep much that night..was tired but nurses were coming in and out and I was up walking every two hours.  I got come home around lunch time on Tuesday...I was so tired.  I have been sleeping in the living room the last few nights...I am sleeping better if I am somewhat "upright".  Today I have felt more like myself...Tuesday and Wednesday..I was still hurting and very tired.  Today has been much better..I have been up moving around and my soreness is not as bad (or I am just used to it by now).  Food...has been nonexistent the last few days (water and broth).  My new best friend is banana sugar free Popsicles..I love them!  I even tried some cream of chicken/mushroom soup tonight.  It was good...even though it was only two spoonfuls.  The water is my hardest thing right now...to get it all in...and when I drink it has to be sips...so it gets old.  My emotions are much better today as well..  I was upset Tuesday and Wednesday because I didn't think I would feel that bad...but I did.  I have 5 incisions on my stomach...just adds to the ones I already had from the surgery when my gall bladder was removed...but one of the incisions is bigger than the others...and it is also the one that is very sore and has multiple colors from the bruising.  My chest also feels tight...the dr said it would feel like that...just taking things slow because everything on the inside has to heal as well.  My mom and dad have been great...I am so blessed to have them.  Thanks so much to you all for all your cards, prayers, text messages, voicemails, visits, etc...I really appreciate them all.  I am excited to see what tomorrow brings and am so happy for the future....one day at a time....

Love to all,
Lora

Tomorrow is the Day!

My emotions are all over the place..  My weekend has been great..  Anne was in town and we (her, mom, and I) spent some time together.  We got pedicures and went to two of my favorite shops (Nostalgia and Joann's).  We found some good vintage finds....s/p shakers, mixing bowls, etc.  Saturday was my last day of pre-op liquid diet...I am so glad that is over..  I have still been trying to not watch TV with all the food commercials..it is really hard.  All I wanted was a crab cake...I love them.  I kept thinking I will never eat again...which is not true...just not as much.  Anne and I finished the evening grocery shopping at walmart...got all the food for the next phase...clear liquid for a couple of days and then creamed soups..YUMO!  right... 

Today was another beautiful day...  After church we came home and the next phase began..clear liquids (I better get use to that...I have more days of that ahead) and drinking magnesium citrate...gag...didn't get far from the bathroom.  My emotions were all over the place again today..not about food...but about surgery and all the what-ifs....  So I kept busy..cleaning house, laundry, organized my craft room (somewhat..that will never be done), played yahtzee with Grady...and watched a movie.  It was good to get my mind off of everything..  When Grady went to bed...he said mom....it will be alright...you are good at everything..you will  be good at surgery.  Love him...

OK..so here I am....ready to get the show started.  Surgery is scheduled for 10:30...but you never know.  I am anxious to get started and get through the clear and cream of soups...and on to the other phases...but one day at a time Lora..(that is me talking to myself...lol). 

Thanks so much to all for the texts, private messages, voicemails, phone calls, and prayers....I really appreciate them... 

Sweet dreams all,
Loralee

Where to begin...Hmm..  I am apologizing now..because this first post will be long and a bit wordy..

I first want to say that my blog will cover lots of things (sewing (what little I can do..ha) and scrapbooking crafts)..but most importantly my journey through weight loss. 

This has been a long journey for me..I have had problems for awhile now and I think it started in high school.  I was always a big girl but I kept gaining weight as I got older.  I have tried all kinds of diets but to no avail.  Last year my family physician stated I really need to think about bariatric surgery.  At first..I was like..no way.  But after he kept saying it and saying it at my follow-up appts...I thought I probably should go and at least listen.  My mom and I went and listened to the seminar and than after they discussed the amount of money.  I had already made the decision that I would not be able to do it if insurance wouldn't pay.  At the time my insurance was getting ready to change.  When it changed I submitted my card...they came back and said...no..your insurance will not cover it.  I was so disappointed.  I started working out with a trainer at the gym two days a week and have been for awhile now.  When my husband changed jobs...we changed insurance companies.  I called back again and they had me come to another seminar.  We went and listened to everything again, but this time around...the pre-approval from the insurance company was a YES!  I was so excited..  I started the process...went to classes and met with the 2 doctors (bariatric surgeon and psychologist (will talk more about that one later)).  We decided on the gastric sleeve.  This process started in August/September (with classes, appts, etc)...however because of insurance/communication issues..my surgery date was much later.  The date is finally here...  I am getting real excited/scared at the same time..my surgery is scheduled for this Monday, March 19...YAY.  I started my two week liquid diet last week and am on my second week now.  Watch out...  This is one of the hardest things I have had to do.  I am eating 6 times a day (4 protein shakes) and yogurt/sugar free pudding/jello in between.  I can also each raw vegetables...but that is it.  I have come to love the chocolate shake...who would have thought..I use to hate chocolate.  Anyway...I have had so many emotions...  Last week was so bad...  All I would think of was food..and commercials didn't help.  I am so very thankful that I live across the street from my parents...Grady and Dewayne have eaten there most nights (it was hard to even look at other people eating..let along cooking it).  I cried at work, at home, and before I went to bed.  After three days of liquid diet..I went to the support group meeting.  I am so glad I went...I felt much better hearing success stories and talking to them about what worked for them.  I felt much better...  The weekend went by..I stayed very busy.  Than I hit a slump again on Monday...I was so hungry...but was I...or did I just want what I know it couldn't have.  I know that was it...  Today is late Wednesday night and I am feeling better again.  One day at a time..as my friend tells me..  Anyway..that is about it for now.. I have more to talk about later...but for now I will say goodnight..  Tomorrow is another day..and I will be thankful.  One of my good friends (love this Yvette) posted this on facebook today...and it made me stop and think...

Today is a gift you will only receive once. There will never be another day exactly like this one.
Embrace it.
Enjoy it.
Be truly grateful for it.
You will not receive this gift again.
 
Thanks to all my family and friends...I am so grateful that you are standing behind me and with me through this...