HEART ATTACK Scare!!

My 55 year old brother had a major heart attack last week! Thankfully, he was in the hospital just coming out of back surgery - which is what truly saved his life. They were able to wheel him right back in and put some stints in. He had 100% blockage on one, 80% blockage on another and 30% on a third. He is home and doing well and counting his incredible blessings! He's got 9 kids who are all holding on to him a little tighter now.

You know, my mother died at age 56 from heart disease, and her mother died at 56 from heart disease. I am 41 right now. Boy, is it ever time for me to WAKE UP!! It's in my genes to have my arteries build up with plaque. Even though my brother had been exercising and eating healthy for the last year (and even lost 30 lbs) he still had that heart attack. The doctor told him that because he's made those changes probably saved his life. That is isn't uncommon for people to have heart problems and NOT EVEN REALIZE how bad it is until the have a major heart attack or until it's too late. This is more evidence that making this change THIS YEAR - RIGHT NOW, is absolutely necessary!! I am SO glad I am making this change.

WEEK 8 - I'm down 3 more pounds for 35 pounds lost! My man is down 5 pounds for 42 pounds lost!

Here is a L&G I threw together. This is rotissary chicken (SO good) on top of sateed yellow squash and mushrooms. I know, that sounds like an unlikely pair but I was in a hurry and it was yummy!

This was an L&G for my man... using those boca-type crumbles mixed in with his salad and his hot salsa. He prefers the ground turkey/beef mixture to the boca crumbles but it wasn't bad.

So this is how I prep our puddings every week or two. I mostly make chocolate with a few drops of the Capella hazel nut flavoring, and banana with either no drops or added banana flavoring drops. This time I actually added some chocolate brownie drops to the banana to see if I like it. I love to eat pudding as my breakfast and I love having them already made. My husband can grab one to put in his lunch box and these little containers with lids are inexpensive and easy to clean and store.

Last night I made muffins again! (I did a double batch as the picture shows) I will post the recipe I use on the side. My hubby LOVES these. He is a bread lover and this gets him his bread fix.

Two of these muffins equals one meal and so I put two in a baggie, fresh out if the oven and then freeze them. My hubby grabs one in the morning and nukes it for like 40 seconds and then eats them on his drive to work.

Here is the newest L&G I've tried. Imitation crab meet!! I got it at Costco and had this crab salad with my favorite light Ranch dressing (Bolton). I loved it. I loved having the crunchier veggies in there too like radishes and celery along with the cucumbers, lettuce and peppers.

And this meal is my Honey's standard favorite. Yes, he does have 4 of the Morning Star sausage patties (instead of the 3) but he craves that protein and feels that his body needs it and he still loses weight even having 4 of them so more power to him! He doesn't even have dressing on his salad anymore. He just enjoys eating the veggies fresh.

I've discovered another HELPFUL HINT for myself. I chew more gum! It really helps inbetween meals to have something yummy to chew on. I am always trying new sugar free gum now where I used to only buy the peppermint or spearmint for fresh breath. Those who know me well, know I love "Trident White - Cool Colada". I call it my HAPPY GUM because you just can't chew it and not feel happy. Some others I am liking right now are: New Trident Layers (both flavors of them), Extra Fruit Sensations Strawberry Banana and Berry Pearadise, and the Orbit Mist Watermelon Spring. I'm sure there are many others that are tasty to chew. And even today in the doctors office, I read an article in a magazine that said that people who chew gum inbetween meals are more likely to eat less calories throughout the day. :)