Eggface's 5 Year Anniversary Giveaway - Prize 5

June is a BIG month in my world. 5 years ago (June 20th 2006) I made the best decision of my life, to have weight loss surgery.

5 years ago I started this blog The World According to Eggface for my friends and family to follow the amazing life changing journey I was embarking on.

Oh and there might be a 40th birthday this month (June 28th) too. 40 years!? Eeek. It wasn't so bad and I can't really complain... I feel better at 40 than I did on my 30th birthday, heck I feel better than my 20th birthday.


Protein Ice Cream Birthday Cake
In honor of these BIG events in my world I'll be giving away 5 super cool prizes throughout the month as my way of saying THANK YOU for taking this incredible journey with me. I am blessed to have crossed life paths with all of you fellow fighters of the battle against obesity. Thank you for being there for me this past 5 years!

Speaking of fellow fighters. The final prize in my 5 year celebration is not as snazzy as an ice cream maker or tasty as a tub of protein but I think it's the best prize of the month...

Prize 5: A 1-Year Individual Membership in the (OAC) Obesity Action Coalition (If you are already a member I'll renew you for another year)

The OAC is a national non profit organization dedicated to giving a voice to those affected by obesity through education, support & advocacy. OAC Membership is the most important way you can make a difference in the cause of obesity. The greater the coalition's membership, the stronger our voice on issues. When you walk into a legislator's office to ask them to support a cause, numbers speak. Membership in the OAC makes our voice louder.

What you will receive with your membership:

A welcome letter & membership card (new members)
1 year subscription to Your Weight Matters Magazine OAC's Quarterly Publication
Subscription to the OAC's monthly e-newsletter
Periodic member alerts informing you of issues that need action/attention
Representation in advocacy issues, a voice for ourselves and those we love who are affected by obesity.

If you haven't checked out the Obesity Action Coalition and all they do hit their website and poke around. It's an AWESOME resource. Want to join? Click here.

How to enter: Just leave a comment (include your name and an email addy) on this blog posting by Wednesday, July 6th, midnight (pacific time) and sometime on Thursday, July 7th. I'll draw a name using a random number generator and announce the winner of this prize here on the blog! I will also email the winner at the addy posted. You'll have one week (7 days) to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.

One COMMENT ENTRY per person. Remember blog comments are moderated so there may be a slight delay (up to a few hours) in seeing your comment/entry post. Giveaway is open to anyone in the United States (48 contiguous, Alaska & Hawaii only, sorry non-US pals.)

***Want extra chances to win?*** Do anything listed below and mention in your comment what you did for up to four more entries per person!

* Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway:

Hey Everyone Enter to Win Prize #5 in the @Eggface 5 Year Anniversary Giveaway! http://bit.ly/j5fXPE

* Follow me on Facebook and share this giveaway on your page.

* Blog about this giveaway or post about it on a social networking or support forum you frequent (send me the url so I can enjoy your post!)

Drum roll...

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Eggface Meet & Greet: Southern California Weight Loss Surgery Meet & Greet

UPDATE: This FREE EVENT is SOLD OUT. We reached our fire code quota so if you haven't RSVP'd (on the master facebook attending list and received your message or emailed/received a reply from me) Sorry but we'll see you next year :(

For those of you in the Southern California area (Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, San Diego, and surrounding areas) I'd like to invite you to a little get-together...

Southern California Weight Loss Surgery Meet & Greet
Saturday, July 30th, 2011
12:30 PM to 3 PM
at the Harveston Center (a brand new beautiful community building) on Harveston Lake in the City of Temecula, CA

Harveston Center
40135 Village Road
Temecula, CA 92591

A casual, get-together for all those in Southern California who have had, are having, are thinking about having weight loss surgery. All surgery types are welcome! Come hang out make new friends.

Light weight loss surgery friendly refreshments will be served.
They'll be super cool prizes galore and oodles of samples and freebies.

Please RSVP (so I can kind of get a count for refreshments and freebies) on the Facebook Page I created for the event (if you aren't on Facebook just comment on this blog entry or email me.)

Hmmm some random stuff...

The lake has some great walking trails (you can walk completely around it on a paved path), tons of nature (ducks, swans, egrets, turtles), paddleboat rentals (fee is $15/30 minutes for 4 people.) We will have seating for 50 in the Harveston Center's Multipurpose Room but if you want to go outside and have a picnic or sit by the lake you would need to bring some lawn chairs or a blanket, there are a few picnic tables. There's tons of free parking (a lot on either side of the lake, one right next to the Harveston Center), handicap accessible, restrooms, we will have a protein exchange so if you have opened or unopened protein powder tubs you no longer want, bring 'em... the whole one man's trash is another's treasure idea. Sorry no clothing exchange this time out.


The Harveston Center
Some views of the lake...





Interactive Map of Location:



View Larger Map

Can't wait to meet you all!

P.S. If you want to make a longer day of it... Temecula has a great Farmer's Market Saturday mornings, antiques and shopping in Old Town, and 30+ award winning wineries I am happy to make recommendations for things to do or dinner restaurants.

It's CLICKacchino time!

Who needs Starbucks? I've got CLICK Espresso Protein Powder and my blender. It's time for a CLICKacchino...

Shelly's Caramel Almond CLICKacchino

1/2 cup Vanilla Soy Milk (any milk will do)
1/2 cup Almond Milk
2 scoops CLICK Espresso Protein Powder (your favorite flavor, I used Vanilla Latte)
2 Tablespoons Torani Sugar Free Caramel Syrup
a few Ice Cubes

Whiz in blender till smooth. Top with optional squirt of Sugar Free Whipped Cream and a drizzle of Sugar Free Caramel Topping (I used Smuckers.)

More CLICKtastic Eggface recipes:

Shelly's CLICK'n Granola
Shelly's Coconut CLICKacchino
Shelly's CLICKcakes Espresso Protein Pancakes
Shelly's Espresso Protein Souffle
Shelly's Tiramisu Protein Shake
Shelly's Banana Protein Mochacchino
Shelly's Espresso 5 Minute Cakes
Shelly's Espresso Protein Truffles
Shelly's Espresso Protein Fudge
Shelly's Coffee Toffee Crunch Protein Ice Cream
Shelly's Vanilla Latte Ricotta Cream-filled Crepes
Shelly's Strawberry Cannoli
Shelly's Peppermint Espresso Protein Truffles
Shelly's CLICK Fondue

If you love coffee, you must start CLICK'n.

OAC Action Alert

If you read this blog I'm guessing you or someone you love is affected by obesity. The Obesity Action Coalition is asking for our help in championing for them, for us.

Please urge your legislators to sign the Towns letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Obesity Action Coalition has drafted a sample letter and a way to do this with just a few clicks.

United States Representative Ed Towns (D-NY) has asked his colleagues in the House of Representatives to join him in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urging her to "better standardize access to obesity treatment services through HHS establishing a comprehensive definition of "preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management" services within the essential health benefits package under the new health care reform law to include the full continuum of medically necessary interventions, including behavioral, nutritional, pharmaceutical, psychosocial and surgical, to treat those affected by obesity."

So much is said in the news about prevention of obesity which is awesome and needed but rarely is treatment of obesity mentioned even though 34% of Americans are currently obese and 1 out of every 8 deaths in America is caused by an illness directly related to obesity. This could help change those numbers and ensure live saving treatments for those we love. Please use this link to send a letter in support.

P.S. Are you a member of the Obesity Action Coalition yet? Here's how you can join. The OAC is a national non profit organization dedicated to giving a voice to those affected by obesity through education, support & advocacy.

Heads up: Free Protein Bars

Get 2 Free Samples of QUEST Low Carb Protein Bars

Go to QUEST's Facebook Page
Click the FREE SAMPLE link.
You must LIKE the page and fill out the form (enter my name under "referred by") and they will mail you 2 free samples of the original flavors (FYI: no sugar or sugar alcohols)

They are drier bars/no "chocolate" coating so they hold up well tossed around in purses and carry-on bags when traveling.

P.S. If they run out of samples today... try again manana. They are limiting how many are given out each day ;)

Post Weight Loss Surgery Menus: A day in my pouch

My yesterday in post weight loss surgery eating...

Breakfast: I hit the Farmer's Market, my typical Saturday morning routine. I missed the market last week between the Ghirardelli Competition and preparing for Washington DC life was just too crazy and I as a result I used a lot of my pantry supply and needed to buy garlic and onions desperately. A Sicilian without onions and garlic in the house?! Unheard of.

My haul: Garlic, Red, Yellow & Green Onions, Avocados (Mmmm been dreaming of Turkey Avocado Melted Roll-ups), Peaches (going to make a peach version of my Baked Pancake), a ton of different squashes (a few will be grilled to make my Pasta-less Manicotti), and a basket of blueberries and strawberries which I came home and turned into this breakfast...

A parfait of fresh blueberries, strawberries and Sugar Free Torani sweetened Ricotta Cheese. Soooo good.

Nothing exciting in the AM, lots of errands and chores when I was ready for a break and lunch I took off to the park near my house.

Lunch: The yummy contents of my super cool bento box. I BBQ'd some chicken on Friday night for dinner and tossed a few extras on the grill to have for meals this week (Mmmm Chicken Salads) and I just love to dip cold grilled chicken in a Greek yogurt based dip... talk about PROTEIN PACKED! Dips are key for me successfully eating meats post weight loss surgery especially chicken :) Keeps everything heading in the right direction if you know what I mean ;)



Pink Box (top left): Grilled Chicken (BBQ'd with a brush of olive oil and sprinkle of Greek Seasoning found in spice aisle)
Green Box (top right): Shelly's Cilantro Yogurt Dip
Blue Box (bottom left): Shelly's Apple Cinnamon Walnut Protein Mini Muffin (in little blue silicon cup) The first Tomatoes from my garden!
Orange Box (bottom right): Sliced Cucumbers


First tomatoes from my garden 2011
Shelly's Cilantro Yogurt Dip

3 oz. Greek Yogurt (I used Plain Fage 2%)
1 teaspoon Mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons fresh Cilantro
a dash of Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper

Whiz in a mini food processor till thoroughly blended. Great for dipping meats/kabobs, veggies, it's a great low fat, high protein salad dressing too. Don't like cilantro use basil, mint, dill, any fresh herb will do. Refrigerate unused portion for a few days, stir if it separates slightly.

Shelly's Mini Apple Cinnamon Walnut Protein Muffins

1 Egg, beaten
3 Tablespoons Milk
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Caramel Torani Syrup
2 Tablespoons No Sugar Added Applesauce
3 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix
2 Tablespoons Almond Meal/Flour
1/4 teaspoon Apple Pie Spice
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
Pinch salt
a few chopped Walnuts for the top

In a measuring cup mix egg, milk, syrup, and applesauce and combine thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix pancake mix, almond meal/flour (almond meal is just finely ground almonds in a coffee grinder), spice, protein powder and salt. Tip dry into wet and stir till combined. Pour into a non stick mini muffin pan that has been sprayed with Pam.

Optional: Place a few pieces of walnut on top of each muffin. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, until knife inserted comes out clean. Makes 12.

Dinner: Came home to more boring chores though I did have Pride & Prejudice (the BBC version) playing in the background.

"You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever."

Mr. Darcy. Swoon.

Anyway back to dinner. I sauteed some of the squash from the market with some onions and mushrooms topped it with some cheese (a little mozzarella and Parmesan) and popped it in the oven till it was bubbly & golden (about 25 minutes) and served that with a piece of that yummy Basil Tilapia from Costco.


Snacks: Another one of those yummy Mini Apple Cinnamon Walnut Protein Muffins and lots of coffee including a Sugar-Free Cinnamon Dolce Soy Latte, no whip, no foam from Starbucks where speaking of swooning... I got to admire the rock star hottie again. I need to work up the nerve to say something. I just goofy grin smile at him. He probably thinks I'm a recently released mental patient.

So it was a yummy ;) Saturday in more ways than one. Hope everyone is having a GREAT weekend. It's the last weekend of my 30's Eeek. Well, I can't really complain I feel better now than I did at 30. In fact this before picture was taken 2 weeks before my 35th birthday. So yeah... I'm not stressing 40! Bring it on!


Oh P.S. Local pals: I've got something super exciting to announce on Tuesday! Just a heads up... SAVE THIS DATE: July 30th!

Eggface's 5 Year Anniversary Giveaway - Prize 4

June is a BIG month in my world. 5 years ago (June 20th 2006) I made the best decision of my life, to have weight loss surgery.

5 years ago I started this blog The World According to Eggface for my friends and family to follow the amazing life changing journey I was embarking on.

Oh and there might be a 40th birthday this month (June 28th) too. Eeek. I'm trying to forget that one ;)

Protein Ice Cream Birthday Cake
In honor of these BIG events in my world I'll be giving away 5 super cool prizes throughout the month as my way of saying THANK YOU for taking this incredible journey with me.

Prize 4: a Cuisinart Ice 21 Protein Ice Cream Maker (color may vary) It will of course make regular Ice Cream but I use it for weight loss surgery friendly Protein Ice Cream.
How to enter: Just leave a comment (include your name and an email addy) on this blog posting by Wednesday, June 29th, midnight (pacific time) and sometime on Thursday, June 30th. I'll draw a name using a random number generator and announce the winner of this prize here on the blog! I will also email the winner at the addy posted. You'll have one week (7 days) to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.

Shelly's Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Ice Cream
One COMMENT ENTRY per person. Remember blog comments are moderated so there may be a slight delay (up to a few hours) in seeing your comment/entry post. Giveaway is open to anyone in the United States (48 contiguous, Alaska & Hawaii only, sorry non-US pals.)

Shelly's Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream
***Want extra chances to win?*** Do anything listed below and mention in your comment what you did for up to four more entries per person!

* Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway:

Hey Everyone Enter to Win Prize #4 in the @Eggface 5 Year Anniversary Giveaway! http://bit.ly/jHvbnA

* Follow me on Facebook and share this giveaway on your page.

* Blog about this giveaway or post about it on a social networking or support forum you frequent (send me the url so I can enjoy your post!)

* Grab my super snazzy code and place it in your blog

<a href="http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/favabean/Lolatini/buttoncleangrad.png" /></a>

Shelly's Black Cherry Protein Ice Cream
In the heat of the summer Protein Ice Cream is great, one of my 10 favorite protein sources. Here's a link to some Protein Ice Cream 101 tips to help make your first batch a success, some of my favorite Protein Ice Cream Recipes and info about My Favorite Machines.

Shelly's Turtle Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream
Good Luck and Thanks for making this month extra special!

Drum roll...

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Obesity Action Coalition in Washington DC

The Obesity Action Coalition sent a group (weight loss surgery post-ops, doctors, etc) to Washington DC spend the day on the Capitol Hill speaking with legislators about obesity related issues. One of the main messages we shared was about access, access to prevention and access to all treatments (behavioral, nutritional, pharmaceutical, psychosocial, and surgical) for those affected by obesity. That's one third of all Americans. We met with legislators, shared some great information, stories and hopefully are making some of them understand what it is like to be affected by obesity in America and how with prevention and treatment we can change the staggering fact that one out of every 8 deaths in America is caused by an illness directly related to obesity. It seems like a no-brainer to me to help prevent and treat obesity and improve the health of American's now or be faced with the growing costs related to not taking action.

It was a whirlwind trip... I left for Washington DC at 3 AM on Sunday and was back in California Monday night at 10 PM. We packed a lot into that day. We split up into groups and met with legislators from a bunch of states individually sharing our message, our group met with Senator Boxer (D-CA), Senator Cantwell (D-WA), Congressman Thompson (D-CA), Senator Feinstein (D-CA), and Congressman Issa's office (R-CA) and invited them to an awesome and powerful legislative briefing about the complexity of preventing and treating obesity, the barriers facing us and the harsh stigmas associated with being obese (common stigma: we all just need to put down the donuts and jog), hopefully blowing some of those stigmas out of the water. It was a great day and I got to utilize the under-used Political Science degree I have by taking part in a political process for a cause that is meaningful to me personally.

For those of you that aren't aware, I am an American citizen that was insured through my workplace, had a BMI of 54 (super morbidly obese) with several co-morbidities (severe GERD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (my father died at 67 of sleep apnea related heart failure), High Blood Pressure, and a host of other issues related to obesity) all of which were being treated by my doctors and costing my insurance company and myself major bank BUT I was repeatedly denied any weight loss related treatments: no weight loss or fitness programs, nutrition classes, pharmaceuticals, nothing related to the treatment of weight loss was covered and I was denied weight loss surgery even though I was told by my doctors that many of the painful, debilitating, and life threatening conditions impacting my health would be potentially relieved and that having weight loss surgery was the best option.

As I got sicker and sicker, I worked through the hellacious insurance maze and also began to research the option of self paying for weight loss surgery. My research led me to some medical tourism options and I ultimately decided to self pay in Mexico for Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. My outcome was great I had a wonderful medical tourism experience. The weight loss I achieved and maintain resolved all my co-morbidities, I am off all 8 medications I was on before weight loss surgery, -158 lbs lighter, Size 28 to 4 I got my life back and now with continued commitment to healthy food choices, taking my vitamins, moving my body every day and working on the head stuff I hope to continue to live a healthy life BUT I should never have had to go out of my country or decimate my savings to get treatment.

It seemed only fitting and extremely meaningful to me that I was spreading the message to our government on June 20th, 2011 my 5 year anniversary of having weight loss surgery! Thanks to the OAC for inviting me.

Fun at the Fair: Chocolate Covered Cherry Protein Smoothie

If you've read the blog for awhile you know I enter cooking contests on occasion. Today I took part in the Ghirardelli Chocolate Championship. You had to create a recipe using at least one Ghirardelli baking product and no more than 10 other ingredients. There were three divisions (chocolate chips, bars, and cocoa) so I entered the Cocoa Division and used Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa. Judging Criteria was: Taste (overall and chocolate taste) 40%; Appearance 20%; Originality/Creativity 30% and Ease of Preparation 10%.

And guess what?! I won First Place in the Cocoa division and Third Place out of all the entries. I was especially proud because it's a weight loss surgery friendly recipe. Woot!

Shelly's Chocolate Covered Cherry Protein Smoothie

2 cups Milk (any: cow, soy, almond...)
1/8 cup Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/8 cup Sugar Free Black Cherry Torani Syrup
1/4 cup Chocolate Protein Powder
1/4 cup Frozen Cherries

Blend in blender on high until smooth. Serves 2.

The competition was steep...

Can you spot my green blender bottles full of smoothie way in the back? I served them out of those. I also found matching green paper cups. Click on the picture to enlarge.

What I won...

Most of which obviously will be donated to the local food bank. Though my Mum said she has dibs on the milk chocolate stuff. The part I love are the ribbons and getting in the cookbook again (if you are local be sure to pick up this year's book and look on page 16 & 17 for last year's wins) but most important to me is the fact that it was weight loss surgery friendly, healthy and just as yummy as all those other choices pictured and still won!

Eggface's 5 Year Anniversary Giveaway - Prize 3

June is a BIG month in my world. 5 years ago (June 20th 2006) I made the best decision of my life, to have weight loss surgery.

5 years ago I started this blog The World According to Eggface for my friends and family to follow the amazing life changing journey I was embarking on.

Oh and there might be a 40th birthday this month (June 28th) too. Eeek. I'm trying to forget that one ;)

Birthday Protein Donuts and Strawberry Cannoli
In honor of these BIG events in my world I'll be giving away 5 super cool prizes throughout the month as my way of saying THANK YOU for taking this incredible journey with me.

Prize 3: a Koko Insulated Lunch Bag, a Yellow 20 oz. Blender Bottle Shaker and some of my favorite Protein Bars.

I just bought one of these Koko Insulated Lunch Bags and I love it. I needed something in the car to keep my water bottles cold and for times when the protein snacks I'm bringing along on my travels and adventures are larger than what my super groovy bentos can hold. This has been great. It's got that shiny, aluminum-ish insulated lining that keeps things cold for a long time. It's wipeable. I keep it in my trunk and have even used it to keep cold foods (cheeses, yogurt, etc.) cold on return trips from the supermarket.

My blender bottle shaker goes with me on every post weight loss surgery travel trip. I make up a few snack sized baggies of protein powder and store them right inside the shaker. I place the shaker in my carry-on bag, when I'm on the plane I just ask for a bottle of water or milk, empty one of the pre-portioned baggies and shake shake shake. On road trips I always know I will have a great protein source in case good choices are scarce.

and these are some of my favorite protein bars...

Supreme Protein Peanut Butter & Jelly
Supreme Protein Caramel Nut Chocolate
ISS Oh Yeah! Protein Wafer Chocolate Chocolate
ISS Oh Yeah! Protein Wafer Chocolate Peanut Butter
Power Crunch Cookies & Creme
Supreme Protein Peanut Butter Crunch
Oh Yeah! Peanut Butter & Caramel
ISS Oh Yeah! Protein Wafer Chocolate Mint
Power Crunch Peanut Butter Creme
ISS Oh Yeah! Protein Wafer Peanut Butter Cup

I always toss a few in my carry-on bag so when I get to my destination I am not stuck choosing from the crap-filled room service menus.

How to enter: Just leave a comment (include your name and an email addy) on this blog posting by Wednesday, June 22nd, midnight (pacific time) and sometime on Thursday, June 23rd. I'll draw a name using a random number generator and announce the winner of this prize here on the blog! I will also email the winner at the addy posted. You'll have one week (7 days) to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.

One COMMENT ENTRY per person. Remember blog comments are moderated so there may be a slight delay (up to a few hours) in seeing your comment/entry post. Giveaway is open to anyone in the United States (48 contiguous, Alaska & Hawaii only, sorry non-US pals.)

***Want extra chances to win?*** Do anything listed below and mention in your comment what you did for up to four more entries per person!

* Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway:

Hey Everyone Enter to Win Prize #3 in the @Eggface 5 Year Anniversary Giveaway! http://bit.ly/iyS99f

* Follow me on Facebook and share this giveaway on your page.

* Blog about this giveaway or post about it on a social networking/support forum you frequent (send me the url so I can enjoy your post!)

* Grab my super snazzy code and place it in your blog

<a href="http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/favabean/Lolatini/buttoncleangrad.png" /></a>