The E-LAB Project

Friday check in, 3 points
weight 227 pounds, 0 point
water, 7 points
exercise, 7 points
extra credit, went swimming for the first time this summer, took the dog, too
Total = 18 points

Hmm, still didn't quite hit 20.  Gotta step up the exercise. 

Thanks, Badger. 

The world is conspiring against me.  This ayem I weight 225 #. All week I 've been weighing 226#.  Why do I always get the worst weights on Friday morning????

I'm up a little today, but doing quite well considering all the beer (Lite) and festivities.  I've seen some awesome bands so far at summerfest. The *Fun.* concert was fantastic. Last night was Dark Star Orchestra and BareNaked Ladies.  Haha I guess those names don't represent their music at all!! Saw some Pat Benatar, Dispatch, Avett Brothers, and Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeroes. Spin Doctors today.

Friday ~ 2

Water ~ 6

Wt (164.4) ~ 0

Exercise ~ 13

Total 21

Hi friends.  Missed 2 weeks but it would not have mattered as I was busy and eating on the run.  Just about back on track now so hopefully this week will show progress.

mimi, Patoo, Badger, NM.....Where are you my friends?

I've done terrible so far this month. I'm up again 

Friday ~ 3

Wt (165.8) ~ 0

Water ~ 7

Exercise ~ 10

Total ~ 20

RoadRunner checking in:

 Friday Check in =1 points  missed Fri check in, overslept

Weight 230# = 0 points. ;(

Water = 7 points

Exercised =  6 points

Extra Credit--= 1 point--kept moving even though my back hurts like he##

Total =  14  points.

Hmmm.  I know I haven't been moving as much with my back hurting so much, but I didn't think it would make this much difference.  Of course, I have been having trouble getting moving in the ayems, and not eating breakfast.  Apparently eating breakfast does make a difference in this game. 

thanks for the encouragement, NM!  I haven't been entirely faithful but my strategy of avoiding chocolate, cheese, sugar, and wheat is paying off.  I do still eat Greek yogurt (with sugar) daily but it's dessert.  Been losing less than a half-pound every week but it's a consistent and not a punishment.

The healthy lunch I pack can be eaten hot or cold.  Here are the nutritional values I've calculated per serving (i.e. divided by 5) then the recipe.

cal 232 / fat cal 66 / % cal from fat 28.4 / fat gr 6.8 / chol mg 0 / sodium mg 190 / carbs gr 34.4 / fiber gr 6.6 / sugar gr 3.8 / protein gr 8.2

2 Tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced

1-2 bunches kale, stemmed and torn into bite size pieces (approx 4 cups)

1 cup vegetable broth

2 tomatoes peeled and chopped (approx 2 cups)

1 cup chickpeas (I use a 15-oz can)

1 cup corn kernels (optional)

Basmati brown rice, cooked (approx 1 cup)

Sauté the garlic in olive oil for a minute (you could also add some onion here).  Add the kale and mix well to coat it with garlic oil.  Stir until it starts to wilt.  Dig a hole in the middle and put the tomato in there.  Put a lid on it and let it cook until the tomato starts breaking down (5 minutes or so).  Dig another hole in the middle and add the chickpeas and broth.  Put the lid back on and simmer 15 minutes or so.  Add the corn kernels, if used.  Serve over basmati brown rice.  (I just mix in the rice because I make a batch on Sunday and pack five individual containers to make it easy to grab in the morning.)

I call it "Suzanne's favorite thing to do with kale" after the friend who gave me the recipe.

Knowing you're low-carb, I manipulated my spreadsheet and did an analysis of the per-serving nutritional values without corn, without rice, and without either one.

without corn: cal 208 / fat cal 64 / % cal from fat 30.8 / fat gr 6.4 / chol mg 0 / sodium mg 189 / carbs gr 29.2 / fiber gr 6.0 / sugar gr 3.2 / protein gr 7.4

without rice: cal 188.8 / fat cal 63 / % cal from fat 33.3 / fat gr 6.4 / chol mg 0 / sodium mg 188 / carbs gr 25.4 / fiber gr 5.8 / sugar gr 3.6 / protein gr 7.2

without corn or rice: cal 164.8 / fat cal 61 / % cal from fat 37.0 / fat gr 6.0 / chol mg 0 / sodium mg 187 / carbs gr 20.2 / fiber gr 5.2 / sugar gr 3.0 / protein gr 6.4

But the corn adds color & crunch, and the rice adds body & that lovely basmati flavor, so I don't think it would taste as good without them.

Also, I haven't given up dairy except for cheese because it's nutritionally dense (high-fat).  Plenty of room in my diet for other sources of protein & calcium. 

OT - Wisconsin State Fair soon.  Here's a JS article about the food.  (garlic-buttered new potatoes on a stick, anyone?)  http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/festivals/bacon-bacon-everywhere-on-new-foods-list-for-2013-wisconsin-state-fair-b9953013z1-215231431.html

Badger--that sounds like a great lunch, I'm going to have to try it very soon.  I like the idea of making a batch and packing up lunches.  I often do that with oatmeal in the winter for breakfasts.  Thanks for sharing!

Meece-water retention weight is a bummer.  Hope yours comes off soon.  I know it sounds odd, but when I start retaining water I have found that if I drink extra water the retained water will come off pretty quickly. 

Meece, it never comes off as fast as we'd like, otherwise we'd all be at our ideal weights next week (or tomorrow LOL).  ♥

oh no, Meece. Jump back on the wagon. We're here for you.

It is insanely hot here this week. Getting the water in has been easy, but not so much on the exercise.

LOL, Meece...four vials...too funny  

RoadRunner checking in:

 Friday Check in =3 points

Weight 228# = 2 points.

Water = 7 points

Exercised =  8 points

Extra Credit--= 1 point--deciding what I am going to have for lunch before going into the restaurant, so eating more salads

Total =  21  points.

OK, eating breakfast obviously makes a difference! 

Yeah Zogo!!!!!!!!!!! E-Lab low!    Time to celebrate!!!

Welcome back Patoo!