Day Two 0 kg lost

Hello! Im back for more updates!
Okay lets talk about my weight. I never gain or lost, 23 Aug 2012s weight
was the same as today. I was kinda surprised that I did not gain any weight and also sad that I didnt manage to lose any weight. Well, I think its because of the bread that I ate at around 11PM plus.. because I was too hungry and was unable to get to sleep.

Okay, so heres my diet for 23 Aug 2012 (:

23 Aug 2012 diet:

Breakfast 6:40AM - Lean pork porridge .
- About 180 cal .

Lunch 1:30PM - Rock Melon Fruit .
- 40 cal . After lunch, I went for my O Levels English Oral! :s

Dinner 6:00PM - 1/4 cup of rice; Sardines in Tomato Sauce (canned); Steamed Monk Fish Fillet and Brassica.
- 300 cal. I didnt eat the whole of each dish because Im sharing with my family too .

Supper 11:00PM - Medicine (no cal ba?); Two pieces of Flour Cake(?)
- Not sure about the calories for this meal ..

Total amount of Calories taken on 22 Aug 2012 = 520cal ++ .

24 Aug 2012 6:45AM, I lost 0.0kg.

Its lesser than 22 Aug 2012s but no change in weight.. Well.. maintaining it is better than gaining weight right? ^^

I ate a lot today... T__T (24 Aug 2012) .. 
But Ive already cut a lot on my diet. In the past I used to be snacking on fried food, however, my diet changed a few days ago, especially when I had to watch what I eat 
because Im kind of sick now. 

Well .. Its not totally a bad thing though .. tbh I really ate carefully these days and I think its helping. Ive been taking in more fiber than I usually do and Ive stop eating fried food, fast food, chocolates.. etc! 

The illness that I have would worsen if I dont watch my diet. 

Just to state the food/beverages/drinks that Ive cut even since I starting dieting on 22 Aug 2012:

1. Fried Food
- Seaweed Chicken; Popcorn Chicken; Hotdog; Nuggets.

2. Fast Food
- McDonalds; KFC.

3. Snacks
- Tacoyaki; Otah; Seaweed; Chocolates.

4. Drinks
- Soft Drinks, Milk Tea w/ Pearls (GongCha/Koi).

I dont usually eat sweets but Im eating one right now. Its a Korean sweet bought at the Korean Shop in West Mall. Its grape flavour! Not my favourite but its nice though :D

Aishhhhh. My cousin kept pestering me to watch the Channel 8 show now showing at 9:00PM.
Updating blog siol.. Anyway, finishing soon.

Hmmm so.. I hope to lose a little weight tomorrow so Ill be even pleased to update and share it with you guys!

Stay tune! (:

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A Happy Busy Thursday Im 36 Weeks Two Days Along

Hi folks!

Its been a happy, busy Thursday here. Thanks for all your anniversary congratulations.

My husband and I started the day with skipping breakfast.

Yes, we both totally skipped breakfast.

But we had a very good reason.

We took our 2 1/2 year old son to get an ultrasound done on his heart. There was the possibility that he might need to be sedated, which meant he couldnt have any breakfast. So, the whole family "slept in" a little and had breakfast after we left for the clinic. I just couldnt eat breakfast in front of him and at the same time tell him he couldnt have anything.

But as it worked out, he didnt need to be sedated because he stayed still enough for the ultrasound and I brought a snack for him to eat after it was over. And believe me, by then, he was quite hungry.

And I will say, his heart is unchanged, which is a good thing. He basically has a slight thickening in one of his ventricles which causes some uneven pressure, which makes the heart murmur sound. The doctors just basically monitor it to make sure it doesnt cause any negative effects. But if negative affects do occur, they can be remedied easily enough. Thats the short explanation.

But after we got back, yes we were hungry too and ate.

Later in the day, I took my hard drive to the computer doctor and Im really, really hoping to be able to post a few pictures tomorrow. Well see about that too.

Other than that, I did get to the gym tonight and got in a good work-out. So, that makes it two times this week so far.

Oh, I should tell you all about this dream that I had last night. I think I was having some pain in one of my legs during the night because of the whole baby laying on the sciatica nerve thing. I think that that is why I started dreaming that I went into labor, and dreamt that I had my baby today!!

I shared that with someone at the gym and the first thing he said was, "a pain-free labor!"

Wouldnt that be nice.

Dawnes comment has me really curious about this raspberry leaf tea too. So, I will have to check it out.

Well, there isnt much else to say. Ive been feeling great, and Ive been eating spot-on. I got my husband and the kids some sweets as part of our anniversary celebration but I did not have any of it. I think that when we do some fun stuff this weekend I will treat myself with some raspberries and blueberries. But I didnt feel deprived when I didnt share in their treats.

Kind words from my husband in the cards and little gifts he gave me today were enough to make my day. I usually want chocolate on my anniversary, but its absence today just didnt really bother me.

Well, Friday is practically here. I hope you all have a good one!

Sincerely,
Sunshine Mama

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Indian Spiced Grilled Shrimp with Two Dipping Sauces Getting what you want

From the 5th grade, I desperately wanted my ears pierced.  I remembered going with my mom to get her ears pierced when I was in the 4th grade, and by the 5th grade it was all I thought about.  I even made little stickers to put on my ears and pretended they were earrings.  My mom hesitated with the ear piercing thing because her own experience had been so problematic that she was reluctant to subject me to such an experience.

I wanted and waited for a long time, and by the 7th grade, when I asked again, the answer was still a no.  "When youre 16, you can do it," was the repeated phrase and I inwardly thought I might as well be an old lady and get them pierced if I wasnt going to get them before.  But an unexpected chance came when I was in the summer between my 7th and 8th grade years.  I had taken an admissions test to a rigorous private school a couple of weeks prior, and was accepted.  My parents very much wanted me to attend for A SINGLE YEAR this private school to which I screamed and yelled and fought back hard saying that for a single year it just wasnt worth it.

Finally, my mom asked me WHY I didnt want to go.  I seized my chance and I took it.  "All the other girls have their ears pierced and Ill be the only one who DOESNT!"

"You mean, if you get your ears pierced, youll go?"

"Yes."

Two hours later, we were in the car on the way to the mall and I had submitted my acceptance of admission to school.  It ended up being a very difficult year for me, one fraught with a lot of emotional stress and unhappiness and the ear holes in my ears werent enough to assuage the challenges of that year.  Im probably better for it, although the time suffering in a school as a complete outsider isnt easily forgotten. Clearly the chance to get the ears pierced was too much of a temptation.

Therefore, when Daughter #1 was 8 years old, I offered her a birthday present: getting her ears pierced.  She mulled it over and asked how much it hurt and I told her, "Pinch your ear really hard and it hurts like that."  She pinched it super hard, brought tears to her own face and said, "No.  I dont want it.  Im too scared."

This year, I mentioned it again the possibility of her ears pierced as a birthday present.  She mulled it over and said, "YES!"  I casually mentioned it to Husband, the ear piercing gift and he immediately got worked up. "No.  Shes simply too young.  She cant get it done!"

"I already told her she could."

"Take it back.  Tell her she cant.  Tell her I said no."  I simply shook my head, but what choice did I have.

I explained to #1 that her father wasnt on board with the whole ear piercing thing, but perhaps she could write him a convincing letter explaining why.  She stormed off and sulked in her room a while and I went to Husband wildly gesticulating and mouthing to him that she was angry at ME for HIS decree.

"If she writes me something to convince me, then Ill make a decision.  I just need to understand the WHY of the ear piercing."  (Uh - how about because mom said yes?)

He let her know of his decision and she pouted and flounced about angry and I watched #2 quietly calculating in the corner.  Daughter #2 has forever been the wise one, and understands her role and the supporter to the trailblazer, her older sister.  "Ill help you do it," Daughter #2 said. "Just do it.  It wont be hard.  Ill help you. Ill sit next to you when you write it."  #1 staunchly refused it seemed as if another year would go by without the ear piercing.

However a few days ago, I casually mentioned that I knew of a jeweler that did the ear piercings.  Daughter #2s eyes widened and said, "Just write the letter.  It will be easy." 

"If youre going to write the letter, a good argument has at least three strong points or reasons," I said as a gentle reminder.  It would be the only thing I would say on the subject.

30 minutes later, both girls came down and I asked, "Finished?" and Daughter #1 nodded.  "Do you want to type it?"

"Tomorrow.  Ill type it tomorrow."  Once typed, Daughter #1 presented Husband with the letter, and he was properly swayed and convinced.  Two days later, we all crammed into a little local jewelers and Grandma bought Daughter #1 pretty gold earrings and the ear holes shes wanted.  Daughter #2 looked on, watched how her older sister didnt flinch and definitively said, "This is where Im coming when its my time to get my ear pierced."  Daughter #1 positively glowed from the experience (not from the piercing itself) and it was clear that she got what she wanted.

Getting what I want in the kitchen is a slightly trickier as most days I dont have all the time in the world to cook everything that I want.  My most common craving is Indian, but my fear of cashew nuts sends me to my corner without ever going out to consume any Indian food at all.  Much of the Indian food I make at home tends to lean to the other side of time consuming, but this grilled shrimp dish isnt that way at all.  Simply marinate some shrimp (meaning rub with some spices), make a couple of dipping sauces, grill shrimp, then dip away.  Its the fastest way I get the Indian flavors I want.  Shrimp has a kick, the cilantro dipping sauce has a freshness, and the yogurt sauce just brings it all together.

Indian Spiced Grilled Shrimp with Two Dipping Sauces
Serves 6 to 8 people

Shrimp
Ingredients
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons garam masala or curry powder if that’s all you have
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 pounds large shrimp (16/20), shelled, deveined, tails left on and patted dry

Method
Whisk together the canola oil,  chili powder, garam masala, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a medium bowl Add the shrimp and rub marinade all over each piece. Let marinate for 15 minutes.  (While shrimp is marinating, make dipping sauces.)

Set grill for high.  Lay shrimp directly on heat and cook for about 2 minutes per side, until each side is firm to the touch.  As the marinade covers the shrimp it’ll be difficult to tell by color alone if the shrimp is done, so touch will be important here.  Remove from grill.  Serve warm with dipping sauces.

Cilantro Dipping Sauce
Ingredients
1 cup tightly packed fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup tightly packed fresh mint leaves
4 scallions, chopped
½ of a jalapeno (or a whole if you like it spicy)
Zest of 1 lime
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon canola oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method
Combine the cilantro, mint, scallions, jalapeno, honey and canola oil, lime zest, and some salt and pepper in a food processor. Process to make a smooth paste. Taste; add one or two teaspoons more of oil, if desired, to make a thicker sauce.

Cilantro Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients
½ cup whole milk yogurt
¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped
1 clove of garlic, finely minced
salt and pepper to taste

Method
Combine yogurt, cilantro, garlic and salt and pepper in a small bowl.  Set aside for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Printable recipe

Time for ME to get what I want!

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Happy Thursday Im 38 Weeks Two Days Along

Hello everyone!

Im declaring it a Happy Thursday even though part of the day I felt grumpy. I took a nap in the early evening which helped to pull me out of my slump and put me in a much better mood for my work-out at the gym.

So, Im due in eleven days and tonight I had my daughter help me fix this soup for supper. She cut up the carrots, onions and potatoes. I have found that soup made from chicken boullion as a base works great for chicken, hamburger, and even the meat I used to tonight...a pound of sausage bacon. You can add just about whatever vegetable you want and it tastes great. Although, I always make sure to add onion because I think it really enhances the taste.

I also added corn and brown rice.

Well, everyone loved it because there is literally nothing left.

I had a cup of this soup and it was tasty.

We had some biscuit dough left over from a few days ago and we formed some thicker biscuits.
Those are all gone too.
I just love soups, because I can eat them too and they are full of ingredients that are healthy and relatively cheap to buy.

Now a little update on me:

So, if you recall, I scheduled a little physical exam today to see if I was dilated at all. And I kind of knew going in that there probably wasnt much going on. Im not one of those who will dilate early. Big dilation for me never happens until I go into labor.

The midwife said I was dilated to one. I wasnt effaced at all. My cervix did seem to be softening. I told her about the evening primrose oil and her opinion was that the oil and the raspberry leaf tea werent really necessary because our body will take care of those things naturally with our bodys hormones. This is a different midwife obviously than the one who recommended it.

I went to my appointment in shorts and she did say that it didnt look like there wasnt any swelling going on in my legs which is pretty common when you get toward the end of labor.

Oh, and she also said that when she checked my cervix she could feel the babys head.

For some reason that gets me excited. I mean, I know his head is down there, and obviously hes close to me but it makes me excited that soon I will be able to feel his whole body in my arms. His head, his toes, his legs, his little hands and fingers...

So, anyway, I left the appointment feeling rebuffed for some reason, even though she didnt tell me anything that I wasnt expecting. I know eleven days doesnt sound like a long time away, but today it felt like forever. In my estimation, Ive got at least a week before anything is going to happen...which is fine, because there are still things I need to do.

Heck, we still havent even bought him his diapers. Ha, Ha!!

But I do have all of his clothes ready. Pretty much.

So, my prognosis on the situation is that our baby boy is feeling pretty content hanging out inside of me right now and isnt in a hurry to go anywhere anytime soon.

I have big plans for tomorrow and this weekend with grocery shopping and food preparation so that I can be like the ant that worked all summer so that he could relax in the winter. When this baby comes, I want meal preparation for a family of eight to be a breeze.

When the baby comes, I want to just be able to kick back for several days and not have to worry about going out to get food because we ran out (like what happened with one of my babies.)

My eating today was on target. My work-out at the gym went great especially after that nap. I had abundant energy. I had to keep pulling my work-out shirt down over my belly because its beginning to get stretched to its limitations. Well, its going to have to work for another week, right?

Other than that, Im going to hit the sack. I apologize for not hitting all of your blogs like Id like to. These days are so long that just writing this post is a squeeze for me. But I really appreciate reading your comments and sharing my journey with you all.

And, hey, its practically Friday!! Enjoy the day!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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Happy Thursday!! Our Baby Is Two Weeks Old

Hello!

What better way to end the work week than a picture of a cute pair of tootsies?

You all know how I loves toes?

I weighed him today on our scale... you know since this is a weight loss blog...

But he was so little, he didnt register.

So, with a big sigh...I stepped on with him...

and then again without him...

Oh, what did I weigh you ask?

Nice try.

But according to my scale, our baby weighed a whopping seven pounds even.

Thats up 6/10 a pound from his birth weight of 6.44.

So, dont let this thumb sucking picture fool you.

Hes been getting milk a-plenty from me.

And as far as my diet goes, I gained back a pound this morning.

*sigh*

It was probably my husbands chips that I had last night.

Did I mention that I will often have several false starts before a diet sticks?

Hence my favorite mantra, "If at first you dont succeed...try, try, try, try... and try again."

One last day of the work week, folks!!

We can do it.

Oh, did you all read my husbands comment from yesterdays post?

Isnt he the best?

Have a good one!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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week two

so after one week, ive noticed some biiiiig changes.

weight: 217.5

bf <25%

pretty big changes after one week!

i also feel like a million bucks all the time (except for the below mentioned experience)

all day i feel like nothing is wrong. i worry less about everything and things feel like they are going much better.

another effect of this diet is have to pee alllllloooooot. i dont excessively drink water or anything, but it just seems to pass through me.

one of the first nights i had this diet, i tried mixing uncooked lentils with stove cooked asparagus.... woooooooow! it was truly the most awful tasting thing i ever. i got about a third of the way through it, then i tried to turn in into a shake in my blender.
mistake. it got worse.. i gagged just from the smell of it. not recommended. ever. not ever. unless you want to throw up.

even a little grossness is ok, for almost sixteen pounds in one week.

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Two Days And Counting This Is The Happy Post

Hi folks,

In case you missed it, I just posted the "mad" post just below this "happy post".

Balance is good during pregnancy right? Especially at the end?

So, in this post, Im smiling for you because I just got back from a wonderful time at church. Worship was great and Im only two days away from being due.

So, I had my daughter snap some more pictures for you.

This is the outfit I wore this morning.

Cant quite button up the jacket all the way.

But thats ok....because,

I can just sling it over my back like a pregnant model...

"oooohh, was that a contraction?"
Just kidding.
Got my eyes close again.

Another basketball belly shot.
Im running out of poses here.

Oh, wait!

Why not a shot with Daddy Rainmaker?

"Yeah!! Were almost there!!"

"Were so excited!!"

Just to re-cap what I talked about last night.

We did get out on a date last night, which was really nice.
My next appointment is Tuesday morning, which by now Im pretty sure Ill be going to.

Oh, I voted on Friday so in case anything happens on election day, Im covered.

And...we took the kids trick-or-treating tonight.

If youd like to visit our family blog to see how our two-year-old looks dressed as a toucan, click here.

Other than that, Ill leave you all to your Monday.

And if go into the hospital, Ill try to blog before I go.

Have a great one!!

Sincerely,

Sunshine Mama

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