Proud Obesity Action Coalition Member

Honored to be featured in the Obesity Action Coalition's E-newsletter. Here's the interview...

For this month's Member Corner, we spoke with OAC member Michelle Vicari from Temecula, Calif. You may know Michelle better as Eggface, the voice behind her well-known blog, The World According to Eggface, where she writes about her weight-loss journey. Michelle is a great supporter of the OAC and has been a member of the OAC for two years now.

Q: How did you first get involved with the OAC?

I stumbled on the Obesity Action Coalition's web site and was thrilled at the amount of information and resources that were provided. I spent about two hours reading that day and signed-up for a membership before I logged off.

Q: You are a great supporter of the OAC and are continuously urging your followers on your blog to join the OAC. Why do you encourage your followers to become members of the OAC?

If people are reading my blog, chances are they themselves or someone they love, is affected by obesity. I encourage my readers to become members because the Obesity Action Coalition is our/their voice - through education, nationwide advocacy, providing support group information, helping people who have been denied treatment and creating public awareness of weight bias and stigma and its harmful consequences. The OAC are the good guys, fighting the good fight for us and those we love.

Q: How do you suggest individuals get involved with the OAC? Where is the best place to start?

The easiest way is to become a member. There is an African proverb, "Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable." The greater our membership, the stronger our voice.

Q: What impact has the OAC made in your life and the lives of others?

I was honored to be asked to accompany the OAC on one of last year's Day on the Hill events where we met with legislators and held a briefing about access to obesity treatments and prevention for the 34 percent of Americans that are currently affected by obesity. It was extra meaningful to me that I was helping to spread the message to our government on my five year anniversary of having weight-loss surgery. Involvement in the Obesity Action Coalition helps me pay it forward.

Q: In one word, describe the OAC. Powerful!

The Obesity Action Coalition is now 35,000 members strong. Are you a member? Please consider joining. Click here for all the 411.

Heads up: Sugar Free Torani Holiday Pack

Just a heads up for my fellow Sugar Free Torani loving pals... Amazon has a groovy holiday variety pack available (not sure for how long) but it's a GREAT deal and FREE SHIPPING. Woot! I nabbed one.

It's on lightning deal for the next 3 hours (or till supplies run out) which saves some $$ then it's back to regular price (still a good deal)

Includes: 2 - Sugar Free Vanilla, 1 - Sugar Free Peppermint, 1 - Sugar Free Classic Caramel, 1 - Sugar Free Gingerbread, 1 - Sugar Free Classic Hazelnut which is slightly different from the regular variety pack they offer which is 1 Sugar Free Vanilla, 1 - Sugar Free Classic Hazelnut, 1 - Sugar Free Classic Caramel, 1 - Sugar Free Chocolate, 1 - Sugar Free Raspberry and 1 - Sugar Free Irish Cream.

Special Holiday Variety Pack
Regular Variety Pack

Grab it while you can. I love my Torani Syrups.

Post Weight Loss Surgery Menus: A day in my pouch

My yesterday in post weight loss surgery eating... nom.

Breakfast: Started my day with a protein shake.

Shelly's Chocolate Candy Cane Protein Shake

1 cup Vanilla Soy Milk (or Regular Milk)
1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Peppermint Torani Syrup
3-4 cubes of Ice

Whiz in blender till smooth. Top with a squirt Homemade No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and a teaspoon of Sugar-Free Candy Cane, crushed, optional.

Lunch: Filled my super cool bento box with some protein-packed finger foods and took it on the patio with the laptop in an attempt to get some much-needed computer-related stuff done. It was 83°F I wanted to take advantage of the nice weather and get some fresh air and sun before possible rain and chillier temps come in by the end of the week.

Pink Box (top left): Shelly's Bacon & Cheese Deviled Eggs
Green Box (top right): Shelly's Nutty Trail Mix (Walnuts, Almonds, Dried Cranberries, Kay's Naturals Protein Cereal)
Blue Box (bottom left): Salami and Provolone Rounds
Orange Box (bottom right): Sliced Cucumber "Crackers"

I adapted my Bacon & Egg Salad Recipe (kept the whites intact, added 1/4 cup shredded cheese) and instead of spooning it on to cucumber crackers I spooned the mixture back into the whites to make Shelly's Bacon & Cheese Deviled Eggs

How I hard cook eggs: Place eggs in pot. Fill pot with cold water till 1" over eggs. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and cook for 20 minutes. Pour off hot water and cover eggs with very cold water. This is an extremely important step that prevents the greenish ring you sometimes see on yolks. When eggs are cool enough to handle. Crack & peel away shell. Chill.

Dinner: Sicilian Stuffed Mushrooms. Mmmm these are so good. I served them with a simple salad just butter lettuce, a little crumbled queso fresco, a drizzle of olive oil & balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper. They would also be great with a hot veggie like spinach or peas. I shamefully ate them in front of the TV watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills... why do I watch?! Did you see the screaming previews next week... eeek. LOL it's a train wreck you just can't look away from.

Shelly's Sicilian Stuffed Mushrooms

6-8 Large Mushrooms, stems removed
1/2 Yellow Onion, chopped
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 cup Cooked Sausage Meat, crumbled
1/2 cup Ricotta Cheese
1 Egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon dried Oregano
1 Tablespoon fresh Basil, chopped
2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese (+ a little for top)
pinch of Red Pepper flakes
dash Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper

Saute onion till golden. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute. Set aside to cool. Blend remaining ingredients together including cooled onion mixture. Carefully remove stems from mushrooms. with a mini ice cream scoop or teaspoon fill mushroom caps with mixture.

They should be piled high. Place in a Pam sprayed Pyrex dish or baking pan. Sprinkle with a little more Parmesan. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden.

This is a great use for leftover cooked sausage if using links remove meat from casings. I love Jimmy Dean's Cooked Sausage crumbles. I always have a bag in the freezer so I can take out a cup full, nuke it and use it for oodles of recipes like my Sausage Pancake Bites, Tortilla Pizzas or toss in scrambled eggs, omelets, or my Eggy Bites (crustless quiches.)

Snacks: Too much coffee and a hunk of fresh Mango (Costco precut (aka lazy), I love it)

More Day in my pouch posts

Progresso Souper You

It’s that time of year again, the Progresso Souper You® Contest has begun! This year they are heading west.

The Prize:

The 3 Grand Prize winners will be awarded a trip for two (2) to Los Angeles, CA
Hotel for three nights
A full fashion makeover including; hair, makeup, nails
$1000 cash card
$1000 in clothes
Car service to all events
Two tickets for admission to NBC's The Biggest Loser Season 13 Live Season Finale
A Grand Prize worth $10,000

I would LOVE to see one of my pals be the next to get the same VIP treatment I received when I was one of the grand prize winners of the first Souper You® Contest.

Video of my makeover day in NYC. Brought back great memories.
The Trip Details
Progresso Souper You Photos

I am forever grateful for my friends and family that voted and helped to give my Mum (my VIP) and I that memory xo.

Be sure to enter!

Heads up: Celebrate Vitamins Cyber Monday Deal

Just a heads up for my fellow Celebrate Vitamins ♥ers on a Cyber Monday Special. Today through Wednesday they are doing FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $25 with code SHIP25 (normally shipping is free on orders over $100)
Time to load up. Some of my favorites: Grape Multis (nom), every flavor of ENS (great for newbees), Cherry B12 (thank goodness for these), Calcet Creamy Bites (umm heaven)... the list goes on.

Max Holiday Giveaway

It's the holidays and of course that means PRESENTS! It's Giveaway Time!


The Prize: A HUGE 3 lb. Tub of SEI Max Protein in their super delicious CHOCOLATE flavor, a Holiday Red 20 oz. Blender Bottle Shaker to take with you on all your holiday trips, and a sample pack of Sugar Free Torani Syrups (4 - 150 ml bottles in SF Caramel, SF Raspberry, SF Vanilla, and SF Hazelnut)

I use SEI Max Protein in oodles of my weight loss surgery friendly dishes... Protein Ice Cream, Protein Donuts, Protein Muffins, 5 Minute Protein Cakes, Protein Shakes and Smoothies and more. I just used it today to make my award winning :) Chocolate Covered Cherry Protein Smoothie. It really is one of the best tasting protein powders out there. If you aren't already a fan of SEI's Facebook page be sure to do that. Tell them Eggface sent ya. You can also ask them who locally carries Max Protein or order directly from them online.

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.

How to enter: LEAVE A COMMENT (click # of comments below to leave yours, include a name and an email addy) on this blog posting. For my reading enjoyment please answer the optional holiday question: What's your favorite holiday movie?


Shelly's Mexican Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
Contest periods ends: Sunday, December 4th, midnight (Pacific time)
Monday, December 5th I'll draw a name using a random number generator and announce the winner 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 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. Answer to question has no bearing on winner it's just me wanting to be entertained. Giveaway is open to anyone in the United States (48 contiguous, Alaska & Hawaii.)


Shelly's Chocolate Mint Protein Shake
***Want extra chances to win?*** Do anything listed below and leave me a comment letting me know what you did! For up to four more entries per person!!

* Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway: Hey everyone enter the @Eggface @SEINUTRITION1 Max Holiday Giveaway http://tinyurl.com/cy3kadl

* Post about the giveaway to your pals on Facebook or some other social networking or support forum you frequent. While you are there be sure to friend my page!


Shelly's Mini Chocolate Protein Donuts
If you are a blogger:

* Blog about this giveaway and include the link to the contest (send me the url so I can enjoy your post!)

* Place my super snazzy badge on your site.

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

Shelly's Chocolate Mini Protein Muffins

Happy Holidays to all my pals! This is just the start of the holiday fun :)

Turkey Day Dessert - Crustless Sweet Potato Pie

As promised, here is the recipe for the super yummy dessert ending to a delicious weight loss surgery friendly Thanksgiving meal. Relatively sugar-free (no added sugar) but you would never know it. It was gobbled up by this postop and non-ops alike.

Shelly's Crustless Sweet Potato Pie 

1 (15 oz.) can Sweet Potato Puree (canned pumpkin can be subbed)
1 cup Fat Free Evaporated Milk
2 Eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Seasoning
3 Tablespoons Sugar Free Vanilla Torani Syrup

Mix together till well combined. Pour into a Pam sprayed 11 x 7 1/2" Pyrex dish.

Bake for 15 minutes at 425. Turn oven down to 350 and Bake 40-45 minutes more or until knife inserted in middle comes out clean.

You can eat it warm but I prefer to chill it for an hour or so. Cut into squares (I made 24) top with optional No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and Espresso Crumbs.

Shelly's Espresso Protein Granola Crumbs

1/4 cup Oatmeal, dry
1/4 cup Espresso Protein
1/4 cup chopped Nuts (I used Pecans)
1 Tablespoon Almond Butter
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Vanilla Torani Syrup

Squeeze together with your hands till clumps form.

Place on a Pam sprayed, foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Cool. Crumble on top of Pie.


I used about half and saved the other half in an airtight container for breakfast later this week. Mmmm crumbled on Sugar-Free Torani Syrup sweetened Greek yogurt.

or if you prefer Chai Spices...

Friday Five

A weekly round-up of tidbits, tips, ideas, news articles, random cool things...

1. Have you tried these? Me = addicted.

2. Heads up (especially Gastric Sleevers): If you are looking for a Multivitamin, check out Celebrate Vitamins New Multi-Complete in nom nom nom Orange flavor.

It contains all of the vitamins and minerals that are in their original multivitamin PLUS 36 mg of iron daily. It was developed with gastric sleeve patients in mind because they usually have slightly lower calcium intake requirements than gastric bypass patients but it's also cool for gastric bypass patients like me looking to avoid taking a separate iron supplement. Remember though since this product contains iron it may NOT be taken at the same time as calcium to prevent absorption interference. Always check things through your medical posse first.

3. Some articles I read this week that were worth checking out:

Weight-loss surgery a top option to fight health problems that accompany obesity
Safety data favors less invasive weight loss surgery (I had Open RNY)
Weight loss could ease headaches (I was told this, mine are definitely less frequent but sadly not gone)
The psychology of weight loss: Shedding excess pounds often starts in your head (Most imp't IMHO)
Flier, displaced by obese seatmate, forced to stand (Warning: the comments made my blood boil - my comment is #574 and some of the media outlets running this story are using a bogus picture for shock tactics which is beyond lame)
The Skinny on Fat in the Workplace

4. Good deeds make you feel good. I dropped off food and toiletry donations to the shelter yesterday. I am going to try and do this a few times a year. I'm placing a box in the corner of the dining room and will add to it when I see a sale or have a coupon for something till it is full.

If you are interested in doing a project like this... Here's a link to find donation locations in your area and a list of the requested items I donated.

5. Stop by Sunday when another AWESOME Eggface Giveaway begins!!! What will it be?! Hint: Slurp.

P.S. I'm uploading the pictures of last night's Turkey Day dessert and will post as promised in a bit.

Post Weight Loss Surgery Menus: A turkey day in my pouch

My Thanksgiving Day eats post weight loss surgery...

Breakfast: Mmmm this was fabulous and will made many more days than just Thanksgiving.

Shelly's Thanksgiving Cranberry Protein Shake

8 oz. Vanilla Soy Milk (any milk will do)
1 scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Vanilla Torani Syrup
2 Tablespoons Cranberry Sauce
a few Ice Cubes

Whiz in blender till smooth. Top with No Sugar Added Homemade Whipped Cream and a dab more of Cranberry Sauce (I used storebought stuff but a quick Google search will give you some SF recipes), optional.

The turkey was scheduled to be done about 2:30 so I held out with the help of this yummy snack and too much coffee...

Shelly's Harvest Trail Mix

1/8 cup Dried Cranberries (look for Eden Apple Juice Sweetened)
1/4 cup Walnuts
1/8 cup Sugar Free Chocolate Chips (Hershey's @Walmart)

Mix together. Place 2 Tablespoons in a snack baggie. Makes 4 bags. Great for post weight loss surgery traveling.

Lunch/Dinner: Soooo good. Made a pretty good dent in this plate before my little hiccup soft cue told me I took my last bite...

I made a bone-in breast, rubbed with a little butter (very little) & olive oil. 1/2 an Onion, 1/2 a Lemon, whole head of Garlic tucked inside. Sprinkled with Kosher Salt, a few twists of Black Pepper, and Thyme. Very moist, lots of leftovers. I see a casserole on tomorrow's menu. Yum!

The Sides:

Shelly's Mushroom & Onion Breadless Stuffing

2 yellow Onions, diced
4 cups Mushrooms, chopped (mixed varieties, any combo you love)
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons Poultry Seasoning
a few twists of Black Pepper
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup Almond Meal
Optional: 1/4 cup Durkee Onions, crumbled or chopped Pecans

Saute onions and mushrooms (I used a mixture of shiitake, crimini, beech, oyster and some white) till golden. Mix in seasonings. Set aside to cool. Mix eggs and almond meal together and pour over cooled veggie mixture. Mix till well combined. Pour into a Pyrex baking dish. Add optional crunchy onions or chopped pecans. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

and my current absolute favorite vegetable...

Shelly's Banana Squash with Mexican Cheese
Banana Squash, segments
Butter
Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper
Fresh Mexican Cheese (Queso Fresco)

Place squash segments on a microwave safe dish and place a dot of butter on each piece of squash. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Microwave covered for 12 minutes or till a fork inserts into middle easily. Top with Mexican cheese and broil about 4 minutes until golden.

I left a little room for dessert. I'll blog the recipe manana. Here's a peek at it...

Hope everyone had a lovely day! Filled with family, friends, and healthy eats. For those of you that do the Black Friday thing be safe! I'll be snuggled up under the covers thinking about how crazy y'all are ;)

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful for YOU, my cyber and real world pals for reading my ramblings and checking out what's cooking. You help me keep my head in the game and for that I am truly thankful.

"And I never could have come this far without you. For everything you've done, you know I'm bound, I'm bound to thank you for it..." ~Natalie Merchant

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your day is lovely... full of family, friends, fun and healthy eats.

P.S. I'll post a few recipes and pics of the eats from my Turkey Day table later today.

Do Better

Arancini (Sicilian rice balls) were a typical meal at my house before weight loss surgery. They are a mixture of meat, sauce, onions, peas and mozzarella sandwiched in a ball of rice, covered in egg and breadcrumbs and deep fried, they look like oranges hence the name arancini (the Italian word for orange is arancia.)

Last night I made a more healthified version. Of course, it's a low carb, riceless version since rice is off my personal list post weight loss surgery. I used the same filling I know and love but made a few key changes...

Shelly's Zucchini Arancini

1 yellow Onion, diced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 1/2 pound package of Ground Beef (Ground Turkey could easily be subbed)
1/2 cup Marinara Sauce
1/2 cup Frozen Peas
1 teaspoon Oregano
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (divided use)
2 Cheesesticks, diced
3 medium Zucchini, halved

With a tablespoon measure or melon baller scoop out the middles of the zucchini halved creating zucchini boats (save the guts to drop in some soup) and set aside.

Saute onion till golden. Add beef (or turkey) and saute till no pink is seen, drain any fats rendered and discard. Add remaining ingredients (except 2 Tablespoons of the Parmesan and the cheesesticks). Cook about 3 minutes till warmed through.

Spoon mixture into zucchini boats.

Top with remaining 2 Tablespoons of Parmesan and dot with mozzarella cheesestick pieces, you could use fresh mozzarella balls, I used what I had on hand. Bake on a cookie sheet (I lined mine with foil for easier cleanup) at 350 for 45 minutes.

I just wanted to note for those of you that may be new to my blog. I choose not to eat bread, pasta, rice, white potatoes, crackers, chips since having weight loss surgery. I rarely crave them and with yummy (dare I say, tastier) adaptions like the above you can see why. This is my personal choice, plenty of post-ops eat them, and in moderation few foods have no redeeming value, well there's not a whole lot of redeeming value in a Ho Ho or Ding Dong but you know what I mean. Not opening the door to a few items is what I have to do. Those things pasta, rice, BAGELS, basically all white carbs were my pre-op demons. I had little control over them, I often ate triple and quadruple portions in one sitting, they and my lack of control over them were a big reason I become super morbidly obese (BMI 54 at time of surgery) so as part of my lifestyle change 5 years ago I chose to say goodbye to a few frenemies (I loved them but hated them too.)

(That's me in the black apron with a plateful of spaghetti about a month or so before Weight Loss Surgery in 2006)

Maybe white carbs weren't your demons maybe it was sweets, candy, cakes or greasy fried stuff like french fries and chips, maybe you snacked all day or were an emotional eater. You know what your pre-op "thing" was. If you don't... figure it out and find a better path after weight loss surgery.

Weight loss surgery is not a do-over (repeat the same mistakes = get a similar outcome.) Weight loss surgery is a do-better (make some lifestyle changes you can continue forever.)

Every post-ops journey is different. We didn't all get fat the same way or for the same reasons, so the path we take after surgery will be different too. You have to find what works for you.

Drum roll...

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Muffins and a mission

Warm cranberry orange muffins were a nice way to start this gray Sunday. This combination of orange and cranberry is perfect for Thanksgiving. I think I may have to make another batch for Turkey Day morning.

Shelly's Cranberry Orange Protein Mini Muffins

1 Egg, beaten
3 Tablespoons Milk
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Vanilla Torani Syrup
2 Tablespoons Canola Oil
3 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix (I use this)
1 Tablespoon Almond Meal (Almond Flour)
1 teaspoon Sugar Free Orange Jello Powder, dry
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
Pinch salt
1 - 2 cup Measuring Cup or Microwave Safe Mug
2-3 Tablespoons Cranberry Sauce

In a measuring cup, mix egg, milk, syrup and oil and combine thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix pancake mix, almond meal (FYI almond meal/flour are interchangeable one is ground with skins on, one without), Jello powder, protein powder and salt. Tip dry into wet and stir till combined.

Pour into a non stick 12 cup mini muffin pan that has been sprayed with Pam.

Spoon a dab (about 1/8-1/4 of a teaspoon) of cranberry sauce on top of each muffin. I used regular but a quick Google search will give you some sugar free recipes.

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Makes 12 moist, delicious, mini muffins.

I ran a ton of errands today powered on these muffins. I downloaded a "needs list" my local homeless shelter put out and my goal is to donate at least one of each item on the list. I made a nice dent in the list today. It's really fun and heartwarming to check the items off. If you are interested in doing the same, ask your local shelter or heck I'm sure if you used my shelters list your local group would be thrilled with the donation. Here's a link to find a local shelter in your neck of the woods. Sadly, they are not hard to find.

As I was unloading the car I felt the first plops of rain. I was going to run to Starbucks and score the last day of Starbucks BOGO Sugar Free Peppermint Mocha dealio (BTW I found 2 less pumps of SF Peppermint and SF Mocha is my perfect choco-mint combo, normally a grande gets 4 pumps of each, I ask for only 2) but thinking I'm staying in for good. I'm going to do a little cooking and wait for The Amazing Race (my favorite show) to start.

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

Warm Coats + Warm Hearts Drive

Do you have coats that are too big since having weight loss surgery? Consider donating them to this cause. What an AWESOME way to pay it forward.

The Warm Coats + Warm Hearts Drive runs thru January 16th. Anyone can donate coats for men, women or children in drop box locations in all Burlington Coat Factory stores across the country. As a thank you, those who donate their coat at Burlington Coat Factory will receive a 10% off an entire purchase at Burlington Coat Factory, redeemable through January 16th.

Not near a Burlington Coat Factory? Here's a zip code finder to find other groups collecting coats near you.

Follow One Warm Coat on Facebook

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." ~Leo Buscaglia

Friday Five

A weekly round-up of tidbits, tips, ideas, news articles, random cool things...

1. Did you get your Lauren's Hope Winter Catalog? Sooooo many beautiful things. I love several on these pages. Want to check it out? It's online.

If you haven't already added your name to the hat to win the GORGEOUS medical ID bracelet we're giving away here on the blog be sure to enter the Lauren's Hope Ho Ho Holiday Giveaway you still have a couple of days (ends Sunday midnight pacific, winner announced Monday.)

2. Did you get your BOGO Holiday Starbucks (the New Sugar Free Peppermint Mocha is included) Started yesterday through Sunday. Slurp. I did.

3. Some articles I read this week that were worth checking out:

Why Doctors And Patients Talk Around Our Growing Waistlines (continuing awesome NPR series on obesity)
Social costs of obesity are greatest for white females.
Meal Replacements versus Protein Supplements
University of Glasgow researchers set to study effects of weight loss surgery

4. Just wanted to take a moment to recognize that these next few weeks are hard ones for all of us but especially if they are your first holidays post weight loss surgery... lots of emotions, triggers, foods, family, events, stress, it's TOUGH stuff. Remember: YOU ARE TOUGHER! If you haven't read over my Holiday Survival Tips. Check it out. My first post weight loss surgery Thanksgiving (5 years ago) was my biggest dumping incident. I thought I could have just a few bites of cornbread stuffing = lessons learned. Hope a few of the tips help others avoid that fate.

Isn't this the cutest? A knitted Turkey wine bottle topper, or in my case Sugar Free Torani bottle topper, handiwork by my Mum. Poor turkeys, always getting stuff stuck in their bum. LOL.

5. It's going to be a rainy weekend in Southern California. I've got a bunch of cooking projects planned and a few other things to share. I will be a blogging fool... be prepared... or scared ;)