Hello everyone and welcome newbies! Had to take DH for his kidney stones procedure yesterday. He's OK, but needs someone in the house with him. I've got him set up in the guest room on our second level, so I can keep an eye on him while I am in our office working. He had two on the left and they found another two on the right side, so I need to make another appointment to get them all blasted. Lots of drama going on with my brother lately. My sister and I made some decisions that was difficult for me, but it's time I let him fly on his own. I feel better about it, because he has not really had any brother-sister relationship with me and does not want it now. He simply does not have any emotional support to give, so he will fly or fall. Will let you all know more about it when some things are settled. My counselor wanted me to get mad and stay mad at him, and I am finally getting some peace with that! Can you believe it? She told me that if anyone treated me as badly as I treat myself, there would be a restraining order against them! I don't always see it that way, but she's the expert! Gotta run; I'm working from home, and my e:mail keeps ringing. Make this day count! Hug your family! Take care, eat healthy, and NEVER NEVER GIVE UP! DeeMarie PS: Marci, can you come over with all your energy and help me with closets? LOL

This comes from Mr. Food. Sounds yummy! Level I/Pro/Fat/Veggie Steak Florentine Air Date: 11/11/2004 4 to 6 servings ------------------------------------------------------------ 2 to 3 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard 4 to 6 cubed beef steaks (1-1/2 to 1-3/4 pounds total), pounded to 1/4-inch thickness 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 can (2.8 ounces) French-fried onions 3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon black pepper ------------------------------------------------------------ Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat a 9" x 13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 1/2 teaspoon mustard over each cubed steak. In a medium bowl, combine the spinach, onions, cheese, and salt. Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the tops of the steaks. Roll up each steak from the short end, tucking in the sides while rolling. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper; mix well, then brush over the steak rolls. Place the steak rolls in the baking dish, and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until no pink remains in the steak and the filling is hot. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices, and serve. ------------------------------------------------------------ SERVING SUGGESTION: For a flavorful sauce, spoon warm spaghetti sauce over the steak rolls just before serving.

I joined Curves last month (end of May '03) and I LOVE it. It is truly the ideal thing for me. In January of this year my schedule changed and I couldn't take my walks any more, and boy did I notice a difference. I'm about 30 pounds overweight but I'm tall and my weight is extremely evenly distributed (literally, from my face to my feet) so I don't look really heavy but my strength and endurance are very low. I knew I needed to start some form of exercise and began looking at every possible option, and ended up choosing Curves. I go to Curves straight from work. My heart rate goes up within the first 10 minutes and stays there the rest of the time. After just 9 sessions (in 2-1/2 weeks, 3x a week), my resting heart rate is noticably slower which tells me I am getting a good cardiac workout. I'm not as winded when I go up stairs. And that's what is important to me -- not how much weight I lose, but how fit I am. At nearly 50 years old, strength and endurance are far more important (actually, at any age, they should be most important but I wouldn't have listened to that when I was younger, LOL). I'm also starting to notice that my heart rate doesn't go too high now like it did at first during the work-outs, another sign that I'm already in better shape. I believe that weight loss will eventually take place, since I need to lose weight (if I didn't really need to, I might not lose any). but right now my overall fitness is more important. Everything else will fall into place. Curves is great for me in every way. A fun, cheerful, up-beat atmosphere (typical gyms are very visually unappealling to me), perfect for my schedule, and I look forward to it. I don't diet and don't believe in it. I believe in eating healthy foods in moderation without unrealistic restrictions. Eating when I'm hungry and stopping when I'm full is best. I don't eat just salads and soup. I don't count calories. What I do is choose a salad and fruit instead of chips to accompany my sandwich -- because it is a healthier choice not because it is lower fat or "diet" food. It works for me and I can stay with that for the rest of my life. And sometimes, during special occasions, I'll partake in the chips and dip without going overboard. BTW, the women at my Curves gym are all shapes, sizes, and ages. So, it is NOT just for overweight and/or older women. Anyone can enjoy and benefit from it. But like everything else, not everyone will like it. Hey, even chocolate isn't liked by everyone! :-) Jen

When Suzanne fries chicken, pork, lamb, etc... She dips the meat in egg and then in parmesean cheese, then repeat.... She then fries it in Peanut Oil in a pan. This is absolutely delicious!!!