Creative Ways to Say "I Love You"

In the States, Valentine's Day is somewhat of a big deal.  It is expected if you are in a relationship that you should partake in some way.  (I don't know if it is widely celebrated around the world?  Maybe some of my readers would let me know in the comments).  However, now that all the fuss surrounding Valentine's Day is over, should we go back to our same old mundane way of treating our significant other?  I say no!  Does this mean buying flowers or little gifts all the time, maybe.  Let me just say that after over 20 years of marriage, I have had to find some creative ways to say "I love you".  I have learned there are many ways to convey the thought without always having to spend money.  For example, my wife loves omelettes-me I can take them or leave them.  I know one way to make her smile is to surprise her with her favorite omelette in the morning.  Believe me, I make sure to whip up an omelette from time to time.  It may sound silly, but it is a cheap and easy way to say, "I love you".  What do you think?  I love to hear from you!!

Meatloaf - Low Carb Cooking

Don't worry, I  am not going to change this into a cooking blog!!  It just seems that way.  I have weighed in and I have some good news to share.  I have that post done, I just need to finish the video that goes with it.  I will post it tomorrow.  I know, a real cliffhanger--ooohhh did he finally break through the plateau?  Is the four week drought of good news finally over??

Anyways, I was commenting back and forth with some friends in the UK and they are not very familiar with the old American standby-meatloaf.  I am certainly not a nutritionist, but I think meatloaf is probably a diet friendly food.  Let me know your thoughts.  And ladies that have more experience in the kitchen, be kind and take it easy on me!!!  So I thought since I was cooking it anyways, I might as well film it because I enjoy that too.  So Tim and Nikki and anyone else outside of the States that might be missing out on the simple joys of meatloaf, this one's for you...

Low Carb Cooking For a Happy Marriage...

For a happy marriage, I think each spouse must be willing to make concessions.  Now don't worry, I am not changing this blog into "Paul's Martial Advise" anytime soon.  However, I thought I would share an example from today, and I might even put a little weight loss spin on it.

The wife and I are both trying to lose weight.  We are trying to cut down on carbs.  Please understand before I get a bunch of hate mail, we are cutting down...not even low-carb, just trying to save a few carbs here and there when we can.  So when she saw I was making a roast she made a comment about not adding potatoes.  Now this is where things could have got ugly.  She was hitting me where it hurts--the stomach.  All my life with a roast, I have had potatoes.  I am just a simple meat and potatoes kind of guy.  Well, did I argue with her?  Did I try to explain to her that life is short and we have to enjoy the little things like potatoes?  Nope, I did smart thing.  I just smiled at her and said, "Don't worry, dear, I'm not putting in any potatoes".  Hey, after all, Valentines is right around the corner and I may be fat, but I not stupid. ;-)  What are you giving up that you really miss??  I would really love to hear from you!!  Here I am cooking it--with no potatoes!

Weekly Weigh In A Beautiful Day

A Beautiful day...for a weight loss report.  As far as January in Michigan goes, it doesn't get any better than this!!!  I have no complaints, this has been a great winter so far!!!  Now, if we could slid right into spring!!

This old dog is trying to learn a few new tricks.  I just started a twitter account.  I am not sure exactly why, but I thought I would try it.  I think I even managed to put a follow me button on the right.  If you would be so kind to follow, I would really appreciate it since I am new to it and not following anyone LOL.

In this video, I discuss starting to count carbs.   I guess I figured with four months in, I may as well try something.  Let me know what you think?

Weight Loss Update - Ups and Downs

I'm starting to realize there will indeed be ups and down along this weight loss journey.  Sometimes seemingly without rhyme or reason.  My Sunday weight in after Thanksgiving showed a gain of two pounds for the week.  I thought this seemed high as I had really tried to watch portions on Thanksgiving and didn't think I had went crazy.  Hey, this was the first year I didn't make stuffing!! (As an aside, the no stuffing was per a request from my wife who is trying to lose also.  For the record, I love stuffing and think I could have ate some and been alright.  I honored her request but really missed having stuffing.  I think she needs to work on her willpower and let those of us who have some willpower enjoy our stuffing on Thanksgiving.  She doesn't read this blog so I can say that LOL!!)  So back to the story at hand, they say you can't argue with the scale and it is what it is.  A two pound gain when I had tried to hard didn't seem quite right, but I decided to keep on forging ahead regardless. (You can see it here I'm not happy about the gain.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhKaZeV7rtI     Well by mid-week I got on the scale to see I had reversed the two pounds and also lost two additional pounds. (YAY!!!)   While   we all love happy endings to our stories, I wanted to wait until my next weight in to be sure before I declared it for a fact.  So, I am thrilled to report that for whatever reason I have in fact lost the two I gained and an additional two which brings me to my lowest since starting my journey.  For anyone who is curious I started 9/11/11 at 311 and 12 weeks later I am 288 so a loss of 23 pounds.  Compared to those that are dieting hard like juice fasting etc. this is a tiny loss.  However, for me who is simply eating the same as always minus bread and less pasta, and just eating smaller portions, this is a big victory in my book.  I am happy with the results and plan to keep on going!!!  Here is my happier mid week video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi0KomAFrxE   I suppose the only way I can reconcile this is that it was water weight due to eating salty foods over Thanksgiving.  I hope you all are doing well!!  I hope to make it around to read all of your blogs soon.