Lies, Ice Cream, and the Department of Energy
Isn't it amazing how gracefully we accept the self-appointed role as our own worst enemy? Some little thing goes wrong in our lives and we head straight for the refrigerator to drown our sorrows in a pint of Ben and Jerry's. Heck, we don't even need something to go wrong, we're willing to give ourselves a little treat just because something went right for a change.
Hey, we deserve it, right? It's a treat. It's like Mommy kissing our boo-boo, or Dad patting us on the back when we hit one out of the park. While rewarding ourselves by cheating just a little bit is easy to justify, the truth is: We're lying to ourselves and we're all too willing to accept it. Click here to continue...
Shhhhhh..... TELL EVERYONE
If you hear that I disappeared on February 25th never to be heard from again, it's going to be because health insurance companies from across the United States have joined forces to send sunglasses-wearing men in darks suits to spirit me away to parts unknown in a black helicopter.
That's because February 25, 2006 is the day that I rip the lid off one of the best-kept health insurance secrets in the industry. Yes, mark that date on your calendar and get ready to read your copy of Weight Loss Surgery Insurance Secrets, the definitive guide to the exact steps you need to take in order to have your health insurance provider pay for you weight loss surgery--no matter WHAT they've told you in the past.
That's all I can tell you right now.
Can I ask a stupid question?
We pre and post-op weight loss folks are wired differently than your average earthling. It's hard to find support in the “thin” world, and life can be pretty lonely if you're morbidly obese or are walking around with a surgically modified stomach. That's why we run live chat sessions on RenewedReflections.com every day at 10:00am and 8:00pm Central. Join in for lively, candid and always informative conversations with people who have been-there-done-that, or who are getting ready to make a life-changing decision. I hope to see you when the next chat session goes On the Air! Login here to see for yourself.
How YOU Can Help
I have found a common trait among most of us PostOps is that we are great at giving, but have a very difficult time asking for help. I am by no means an exception. However, to lead by example I am listing some things that I could really use your help on. My goal is to give back to the weight loss community. You can play an important part by helping with these humble requests:
1. Share the good news. Please forward this newsletter on to anyone you feel might find it motivating or enlightening. Encourage them to sign up on the newsletter list themselves at RenewedReflections.com.
2. Tell others about this resource. Direct friends and loved ones to read some of the articles on the site.
3. Provide prayer and encouragement. I find that the more I share the good news of the hope I have found, I come under what I can only describe as an attack. Please keep my lovely bride Leslie and me in your thoughts and prayers.
4. Visit our sponsors. You can personally help financially support RenewedReflections.com by simply clicking on the Google Sponsored Links at the top of each page. Sooo... Get Yo Click On!
Pouch-Friendly Recipe of the Month
Courtesy of Kim H
Kim's Lasagna - Hold the Noodles!
Low-sugar tomato sauce
1 lb ground turkey (or chicken, beef, etc if you prefer)
Diced onions
Fresh garlic
Zucchini, peeled and very thinly sliced lengthwise
Portobello mushrooms sliced thin
Roasted red peppers
Ricotta cheese mixed with 1 egg
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Romano or Parmesan cheese
(I just threw this together, so I don't have any exact amounts for you. Use your imagination!)
Preheat oven to 350°.
In a skillet, start cooking the diced onions and chopped garlic.
Add the ground turkey, breaking it up into small pieces as you brown it.
Once the turkey is browned, add the low -sugar tomato sauce and italian seasonings of your choice (e.g., oregano, basil, etc)
In a 13x9 pan, add a layer of the tomato meat sauce.
Layer the thinly sliced zucchini on top of the tomato sauce.
Dot the zucchini with the ricotta mixture and spread to cover as much as you can.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top.
Lay the mushrooms and roasted peppers on the next layer.
Repeat until all ingredients are gone, but reserve some mozzarella for the top. Top with the remaining mozzarella and some romano cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Take off the foil, and bake for 15 more minutes. When it's done, it will be hot and it won't be "together" so you'll probably need a spoon to serve it out. This is a great dish to make ahead of time. Once it's cooled, you'll be able to cut pieces easily and warm them up.
Enjoy!!
