bogiesmom

No worries. You are doing great by the way on your weight loss. Here it is late afternoon in Los Angeles and I was starving so I popped open a can of V8 to hold me over until dinner. V8 is something I honestly would not normally consume but I like it. It is great to warm up too as a soup. I like it better at room temp than cold. Dont' be afraid to try new things Liz and you will find how easy it is. I would also suggest fat free, sugar free frozen yogurt or sorbet either from the grocery or a yogurt shop. Have you tried treating yourself to smoothies, sorbet, milk shakes or frozen yogurt yet? There are some great low calorie alternatives out there that you can buy or make at home. It also is an incentive to keep up the good work. I know Weight Watchers locations sell (you do not have to be a member) milk shake powders for milk shakes you can make at home in your blender and they taste fantastic. They have a vanilla chai one that I have been dying to try. Here are my suggestions below for shopping: Applesauce (try funky flavors like peach or strawberry) Fat Free Cool Whip Pudding Cups Jell-O cups Skim Milk Campbell's Condensed Cream Soups V8 Milk Shake Powder Sorbet Fat Free Sugar Free frozen yogurt Frozen Fruit Mishima Miso Soup Mix (try the Ethnic Foods Aisle) Nestle Rich Hot Chocolate Powder Mix with Caramel (This tastes like a liquid candy bar!) Drinkable Yogurt (The one I buy is call Yonique) Slim Fast Optima Shakes (these really take the edge off) Naked Fruit Smoothies (I buy the combo pack of 10 bottles from Costco for $5.99) Bigelow Vanilla Chai (box of) tea bags (I hated hot tea until I tasted this...this tea makes you feel so relaxed and like you paid a lot of money for a treat from Starbuck's or something! Try it with a dash of skim milk) Campbell's "Soup At Hand" (drinkable soup comes in a cup in the soup aisle) - Try the Tomato, Blended Vegetable Medley and the Tomato Parmesan Bisque Imagine Creamy Tomato Soup (in a rectangle carton...I found this at Whole Foods but have also seen it at a discount store) -From the above list you should be able to blend, whip, puree a combination of the ingrediants together for a special treat and endless possibilities.

Liz, Breathe! Take Angie's advice & choose the soft mussy foods if you must. Have you tried sprinkling fiber powder in your liquids? If not please try this first. Have you been taking the fiber chewables that Dr. Miranda suggested? If not also give this a try. Also try taking the chromium picolinate tablets once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Also make a list of liquids that you have never tried before but have always wanted to try like soups, broths, drinks and go for it! If you do not know what these items are in a stronger moment go to the store and browse around. For me these were miso soup powder you mix with hot water, lentil soup that I used a bean masher on & added water to make it liquidy, spit pea soup without chunks, cream of broccoli soup from a can, the recipe for chicken tortilla soup found on this site under recipes... My final suggestion is if you feel the urge for solids focus on those that you can at least modify to a creamy, semi liquid or water down. Applesauce, yogurt, pudding, whip cream, jell-o...you get the point. Mash it, puree it, whip it or add water to it.

I am glad you and your mom have each other for support. That is huge in my book. Stay positive and just remeber changes are made 1 meal at a time. I am sort of on my own here and when I did have a weight loss buddy who I hung out with before it made a good 50% difference in terms of my loss. Thanks for letting me know that if I had a stretched band/pouch I would know. That is some comfort to me. I will just have to wait on the stiches but will report back. I think I read somewhere that they are in you forever and they definately do not dissolve. I will be sure to ask that as well when I go back for my fill.

POINTS® Tracker entries Tuesday, December 01, 2009 Morning 1 Tbsp Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1 1 Tbsp sugar 1 1 tsp coffee, instant or regular, powder 0 1 serving(s) Slim Fast Strawberries N Cream Optima Shake 3 Subtotal 5 Midday 1 serving(s) Nile Spice Potato Leek Soup 2 Subtotal 2 Evening 1 serving(s) Active Life Gelatin Cup 0 4 Tbsp Lite Whipped Topping 1 2 Slices Crustless Pumpkin Pie - Quick-added food 2 1 envelope(s) Rich Chocolate Cocoa 2 Subtotal 5 Anytime 1 serving(s) Mishima Miso Soup Mix 1 1 serving of V8 Subtotal 2 Food POINTS values total used 14 Food POINTS values remaining 9

Angie, I started out 2 weeks ago with the best of intentions to weigh only once per week but as you can tell by my signature, I have been weighing myself every other day or 3 to 4 times per week!!! And like you have been tempted to weigh everyday! To be honest the only way I have been able to maintain weighing every other day is trying to focus on how my body feels to me in the morning when I wake up and wait a day to see if my intuition is correct. For example if I wake up and feel thinner and lighter then I will sit with that for awhile and enjoy that feeling for a day before I weigh in. When I do weigh in I find that 9 times out of 10 my intuition is correct. Now if I can only streach that out to once per week. I have known for a long time that weighing in more than once a week can actually hinder the weight loss process. As you already know Angie, our body weight fluctuates on a daily basis and it becomes a roller coaster ride if you are trying to keep up. The doctor I had my initial band consultation with even said that he did not want me stepping on a scale at all and that my only weigh in's would be in his office. Makes sense if you think about it. We become so obsessed with a number on a mechine that we do not see the bigger picture in terms of lost inches, increased energy, better self esteem, healthier skin and dare I say hydration in the form of next to clear pee and regularity! I am on board with you! Once a week it is! (Oh my God this is going to be hard!) I will not be weighing in on Wednesdays though. Sunday morning is my weigh in (you know, beginning of the week thing...plus it keeps me honest on Fridays and Saturdays ) Let me know if you are okay with me recording my Sunday weight on Wednesdays to follow.

Care of Hungry-Girl.Com: We interrupt our regularly scheduled News to bring you TEN of our favorite things spotted on shelves in 2009... Mousse Temptations by Jell-O Pudding cups got a kick in the pants when this stuff arrived. (Bet you didn't even know they wore pants!) These INCREDIBLE individual containers of mousse come in three flavors -- Chocolate Indulgence, Dark Chocolate Decadence, and Caramel Creme -- and have 60 calories, 2.5 - 3g fat, 9 - 10g carbs, 0 - 1g fiber, and 1 - 2g protein (POINTS� value 1*) per snack cup. If you didn't try 'em the first time we told you to, do it now! Starbucks VIA Ready Brew This really IS the best instant coffee ever. (And yes, it's totally worth the price.) The Colombia brew is rich and delicious with a hint of nuttiness, and the Italian Roast is bold and a little sweet with a yummy roasted taste. Look for the brand-spankin'-new, just-released-this-month Decaf Italian Roast to start popping up everywhere. Get some at your local 'Bucks or order and have it delivered straight to your doorstep. (FYI, no stats are listed for VIA because a serving of it is pretty much calorie-free.) Woohoo! Reformulated Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt (50 Calories and HG-Endorsed) Our pals at F1 have put out some great products in the last few years, but once we tasted this revamped, super-low-cal yogurt, we wanted to put our seal of approval ALL over it. (So we did.) It's the perfect size for a snack, sandwich sidekick, or light dessert. With flavors like Key Lime Pie, Strawberry, Vanilla, and Peach, you're BOUND to like one (or all) of them. Each 4-oz. yogurt cup has 50 calories, 0g fat, 13g carbs, 5g fiber, and 3g protein (POINTS� value 0*). And yes, we like it even more because Hungry Girl is ALL over the packaging. Is that wrong??? Contessa Green Cuisine Stir-Fry Meals There are two HUGE reasons why these meals are way better than any other freezer-aisle bagged skillet options out there: 1) NO starchy noodles or rice driving up calorie counts. 2) The sauce comes in a pouch, on the side. BRILLIANT! In Shrimp, Chicken, and Beef, a serving of each without sauce (1 1/2 - 2 cups) has 120 - 150 calories, 1.5 - 3g fat, 11 - 14g carbs, 3 - 4g fiber, and 13 - 17g protein (POINTS� value 2*). Use ALL the sauce, and it'll add around 60 - 80 fat-free calories to each serving (for a total POINTS� value of 3 - 4*). BINGO! Glaceau Vitaminwater10 We fell hard for this super-delicious, naturally sweetened, vitamin-packed beverage line in '09. If you missed it, there's still room on the bandwagon! There are eight flavors: Mega-C Grape Raspberry, Recoup Peach-Mandarin, Revitalize Green Tea, Go-Go Mixed Berry, Energy Tropical Citrus, Essential Orange-Orange, Multi-V Lemonade, and XXX Acai-Blueberry-Pomegranate. Our favorite is the Peach-Mandarin, but really, they're all good. An 8-oz. serving of each has just 10 calories -- that's 25 calories per bottle. It's officially a staple. Pillsbury Crescent Recipe Creations Seamless Dough Sheet This pre-made dough found a permanent home in the HG fridge this year. (Sure, technically it debuted in late '08. But we don't care much for technicalities.) It's an endless source of inspiration -- from breakfast pinwheels to Danishes to dough-ball desserts. Pretty much EVERYTHING tastes good paired with this flaky pastry dough. One-sixth of the package has 120 calories, 6g fat, 16g carbs, <1g fiber, and 2g protein (POINTS� value 3*) -- but you can EASILY get more servings out of a package. The Pillsbury Doughboy has really outdone himself this time. Wish we could t ickle him ourselves... Kashi Mayan Harvest Bake About halfway through the year, we discovered THE BEST frozen dinner of all time. A 10-oz. entree full of sweet potatoes, plantains, black beans, polenta, and more, smothered in a fantastic sweet 'n smoky sauce. This has 340 calories, 9g fat, 58g carbs, 8g fiber, and 9g protein (POINTS� value 7*). It ROCKS beyond belief. It's totally unique, phenomenal in terms of flavor, and super-filling. Find it and take it home with you. The Skinny Cow Truffle Bars Just because winter is coming, that's no excuse to abandon frozen treats. (That's what indoor heating is for, right?) In Chocolate (great) and French Vanilla (REALLY great), these deliciously drizzled ice cream bars are our freezy find of the year! Each bar has just 100 calories, 2g fat, 12 - 19g carbs, 3g fiber, and 3g protein (POINTS� value 2*). Gotta love that cow! Arnold Select/Oroweat Sandwich Thins Alright, to be fair, we first wrote about these at the end of last year. But 2009 has DEFINITELY been the year of flat sandwich buns. This brand started the craze, and then Pepperidge Farm joined the party with its Deli Flats. After that, even MORE started coming out of the woodwork. But we'd like to take this moment to respect the bread items that got it all started. Arnold Select/Oroweat even upped the ante this year by unrolling new flavors like Honey Wheat and Seedless Rye. With 100 calories, 1g fat, 21 - 23g carbs, 5g fiber, and 4 - 5g protein (POINTS� value 1*) per Sandwich Thins roll, we applaud AS/O for a job well done! Kraft Bagel-fuls, Fruit & Cream Cheese Varieties Give it up for the most fun grab 'n go breakfast treat of the year. While impressed with the original Bagel-fuls of '08, we REALLY got excited when these fruity filling + cream cheese versions launched this year. In Cherry, Strawberry, and Apple Cinnamon (featuring a cinnamon & brown sugar bagel!), each one has 190 calories, 3g fat, 34g carbs, 2g fiber, and 6g protein (POINTS� value 4*). They come frozen but are quick to thaw or heat up. What more could you want? (A food item is never gonna drive you to the airport, so don't even think about it.)

Thanks Beth, I think I may have torn the stitches...God I hope not but I really have not been taking it easy (although I have not been excercising at all...okay that is not totally true, I did jump on my elliptical for about 10 minutes a few nights ago and there was another night where I did some reps of a yoga position from my Women's Health magazine). I guess the only way to know for sure is by flouroscopy? or will that be too vague? I just walked out of the OCC from day 1 like nothing happened (activity wise) and that same night my mom and I were counting (clear) liquid calories at the bar in the Mariott (God that was fun). I guess I would not have a sign if I did pop the stitches would I?

POINTS® Tracker entries Monday, November 30, 2009 Morning 1 Tbsp Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1 1 tsp coffee, instant or regular, powder 0 1 Tbsp sugar 1 1 serving(s) Slim Fast Strawberries N Cream Optima Shake 3 Subtotal 5 Midday 1/2 cup Indian Lentil Soup - Quick-added food 4 1 serving(s) Mishima Miso Soup Mix 1 Subtotal 5 Evening 2 cup(s) Creamy tomato 2.5 1 serving(s) Mishima Miso Soup Mix 1 Subtotal 3.5 Anytime 1 serving(s) Lifeway Lowfat Peach Drinkable Kefir 3 Subtotal 3 Food POINTS values total used 16.5 Food POINTS values remaining 6.5

Hi Beth, I am not sure if there is anything I can say that you have not already tried to say to your mom. We were banded on the same day so I know that she only has until Friday morning before she can eat solid foods again. How was she for Thanksgiving? Was yesterday her only slip? Was it only chicken or other things as well like bread and starches that can expand? I guess the one thing I would ask her is if she slipped becaue she feels out of control and or stressed or if it was just a moment of weakness. My worry for her is that she will not be able to manage what she eats come Friday because if not then she is going to be in trouble for weeks 4 & 5 until she can get her first fill. It is one thing to slip and it is another thing to fall into a pattern. I understand how the threat of being laid of can contribute to feeling of having no control (I was there myself 9 months ago). I wish I could offer you something that she could try to do to over come moments of temptation. Are the pounds still flying off her? I know you said that was helping with the temptation initially. The one thing I have not tried but thought about trying is watching episodes of The Biggest Looser for motivation (even if that means renting them). For me getting out of the house when that feeling hits has worked the best. I already mentioned that reading my Women's Health magazines when that feeling hit has also been helpful. I also read the Weight Watchers magazines when I get the urge as a means of motivation. I even try to keep busy by cutting and pasting things from the magazines into a journal that I find motivating and/or interesting. It has become such a project that I literally forget about my hunger. I also would like to suggest that she might want to try changing her prespective on the situation. I trick myself my playing a mental game I call the "Challenge." Every day I wake up my mission for the day is to find as many tasty liquid combinations as a can and preferably ones that I have never tried before (sort of like Breakfast At Tiffany's for your taste buds). By doing this your mom will find herself exploring things that she normally would not. For me this was Indian Letil soup, organic split pea soup from Whole Foods, Prune Juice, Carrot Juice, mixing organic sweet potato soup with cinnemon and sugar, heating up a can of V8 on the stove for breakfast, etc. The point is to have the perspective that this is an adventure and probably one that only comes around once. By the way, my favorite "discovery" was Miso Soup Mix Another thing that I found really motivating AND distracting was watching You Tube videos of people who have been banded. Some of the video journals are really moving. You find yourself watching one after another and soon you realize you forgot about dinner.

POINTS® Tracker entries Sunday, November 29, 2009 Morning 1 1/2 Tbsp Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1 1 tsp coffee, instant or regular, powder 0 1 Tbsp sugar 1 Subtotal 2 Midday 2 cup(s) Creamy tomato 2.5 Subtotal 2.5 Evening 1 cup(s) Cream Of Asparagus Soup 5 1/2 cup(s) Creamy tomato 0.5 2/3 cup(s) fat-free skim milk 1 Subtotal 6.5 Anytime 1 serving(s) Orange Cream Popscicle 1 1 serving(s) Bigelow Vanilla Chai Tea 0 1 serving(s) Mishima Miso Soup Mix 1 1/8 cup(s) fat-free skim milk 0 Subtotal 2 Food POINTS values total used 13 Food POINTS values remaining 10

You know I am wondering the same thing but for different reasons. Last night I watched that movie "The Goods" and at one point laughed so hard that my chest begin to hurt and I felt this really weird sensation in my stomache and it took me awhile to recover. Also I never really took a day post op. I was doing lifting and laundry a few days after surgery and also I went back to work the following Monday. Also my 80 pound Bulldog has jumped on my incisions a couple times (with me cursing expluratives...Kelly Clarkson! Como Tu LLama!) I feel like I have not really changed my life style (activity wise) and maybe I should be babying this band more then I should? Am I just being paranoid or can rigorous activity streach the pounch and or the band?

POINTS® Tracker entries Saturday, November 28, 2009 Morning 2 Tbsp Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1.5 1 tsp coffee, instant or regular, powder 0 1 Tbsp sugar 1 1/3 serving(s) Yonique Strawberry Yogurt Drink 1 Subtotal 3.5 Midday 1 cup(s) Cream Of Broccoli Soup 4 Subtotal 4 Evening 1 serving(s) Lentil soup 2 2 Tbsp Lite Whipped Topping 0 1/2 cup of Pumkin Pudding - Quick-added food 1 1/4 cup(s) Reduced fat mild cheddar shredded cheese 2 1 1/2 cup(s) Creamy tomato 2 Subtotal 7 Anytime 3/4 serving(s) Slim Fast French Vanilla Optima Shake 2.5 Subtotal 2.5 Food POINTS values total used 17 Food POINTS values remaining 6

This list is a work in progress but I thought I would share some items that I could not live without as they have become priceless replacements in my life: 1. I can’t Believe It Is Not Butter Spray 2. Walden Farms Zero Calorie Dressings & Spreads www.waldenfarms.com 3. Hebrew National 98% Fat Free Hot Dogs 4. Oscar Meyer 98% Fat Free Bologna 5. Digital Food Scale 6. Low Calorie Sliced Bread (Sara Lee, Orowheat, different brands in different parts of the country but 2 slices usually equall about 90 calories with about 4 grams of fiber) 7. Low Calorie hot dog & hamburger buns (if you are lucky enough to find – no longer available in southern California) Wonder bread had some available. 8. Fat Free, Sugar Free Jello Pudding Cups with Fat Free Cool Whip 9. Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches 10. George Forman Grill (my best friend) (You can literally cook an entire meal with it in minutes!) 11. www.calorieking.com (look up the nutritional value for hundreds of items) 12. Pirate Booty 13. Hungry-Girl Cook book & Recipe Cards 14. Dill Pickles - eat as many as you want for zero points! 15. WW Taco Soup Recipe care of Mom - This should have been #1 on thie list as it is a staple in my household since it goes on and with everything from omelettes, potatos, and taco salad. Major comfort food! 16. Laughing Cow Light Cheese Wedges (good bye forever mayo & cream cheese!) 17. Oroweat Muti-grain Sandwich Thins (a slice of bread and a bun got married & had a baby and this is it!) - Only 100 calories for 2 slices. 18. Thomas' Bagel Thins (same concept as sandwich thins but a bagel - also works great for sandwiches toasted). Liquids Anyone? 1. Active Lifestyle Gellatin Cups - loaded with 4 grams of fiber per serving! Flavors are better than Jell-O! 2. Mishima Miso Soup poweder mix - comes in individual packets that you just mix with hot water! Only 35 calories a pop. 3. Cool Whip Lite or Cool Whip Free (great with the Jell-O. Feels like you are cheating when you are not) 4. Nestle Rich Hot Cocoa Powder with Caramel - A liquid Candy Bar! 5. Bigelow Vanilla Chai Tea Bags - A box of 20 (Try with a dash of skim milk and you would think you paid $3.5 for a cup at Starbucks! 6. Campbell's Soup At Hand "Blended Vegetable Medley" 7. Imagine Organic Creamy Tomato Soup (comes in a rectangle carton) 8. Yonique Low Fat Yogurt Drinks (Pina Colada is awesome) 9. Lifeway Lowfat flavored Kefir (found this at Whole Foods) 9. Slim Fast Optima Shakes (The only protein shake I like) 10. Benefiber individual Drink Powder (like Cystal Light except 3 grams of fiber per pouch - sold in the Metamucil Aisle. Flavors are awesome. Mix with bottled water.) 11. Original V8 - I love this at room temp or heated on the stove as a soup. 12. Naked Fruit Smoothies (variety pack of 10, 10 ounce bottles found at Costco for $5.99. I use these for breakfast!) 13. Glaceau Vitaminwater10 - Was sick w/ cold this weekend and had to add this since it literally brought me through the storm single handedly

No worries...I am right here with you The hardest part is starting then it is all down hill from there. I am supposed to have 24 points a day but I only allow myself 22 max.

POINTS® Tracker entries Friday, November 27, 2009 Morning 1 tsp coffee, instant or regular, powder 0 1 Tbsp Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1 1 Tbsp sugar 1 1 serving(s) Yonique Strawberry Yogurt Drink 3 Subtotal 5 Midday 8 oz Sides Homestyle Mashed Potatoes 6 2 oz Gravies Chicken Gravy 1 1 cup(s) V8 100% Vegetable Juice 1 Subtotal 8 Evening 1 cup(s) Butternut Squash Soup 2 2 Tbsp Lite Whipped Topping 0 1 cup(s) Select Gold Label Soup Southwestern corn 4 Subtotal 6 Anytime No entries for this meal time. Subtotal 0 Food POINTS values total used 19 Food POINTS values remaining 3 Activity 40 min walking, leisure 2 Activity POINTS values earned 2

POINTS® Tracker entries Thursday, November 26, 2009 Morning 1 serving(s) Yonique Pina Colada Yogurt Drink 3 1 tsp coffee, instant or regular, powder 0 2 Tbsp Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1.5 1 Tbsp sugar 1 Subtotal 5.5 Midday 8 oz Gravies Chicken Gravy 2.5 2 regular serving(s) Sides Homestyle Mashed Potatoes 12 Subtotal 14.5 Evening 1/2 cup Pupkin Pudding - Quick-added food 1 2 Tbsp Lite Whipped Topping 0 1 pcs Crustless Pumkin Pie - Quick-added food 1 2 Tbsp Whipped Topping 1 Subtotal 3 Anytime Pumpkin Pudding - Quick-added food 2 2/3 serving(s) Naked Fruit Juice Mighty Mango 2.5 2/3 envelope(s) Rich Chocolate Cocoa 1 Subtotal 5.5 Food POINTS values total used 28.5 Food POINTS values remaining 0 Activity No entries for activity. Activity POINTS values earned 0 Check off these important items daily: Liquids: 6 Glasses of Water Milk & Milk Products: 3 Servings Fruit & Vegetables: 5 Servings Multivitamin/Mineral Healthy Oil: 3 Servings Activity Lean Protein Whole Grains I tapped into my weekly points bank of 35 (-6.5) for a total of 28 points today. Not a great day but not a bad on either. The scale did not change 1 ounce! That is a win for me

I wanted to share these super quick and easy recipes I made last night. My mom sent me these recipes care of her WW meeting in Las Vegas: Pumpkin Pudding: Servings 6 Points: 2 2 (4 Serving) Packages of Vanilla fat free, sugar free pudding mix 1 15 oz can of Pumkin** 1/2 tsp Pumkin Pie Spice 4 cups skim milk Mix all together and refrigerate **Use canned pumpkin puree and NOT canned pumkin pie mix as the pie mix has more sugar/calories. Crustless Pumkin Pie: 6 Servings Points: 1 1 15 oz can of Pumpkin** 1 tsp Pumkin Pie Spice 1/2 cup egg substitute 3/4 cup Splenda 1 1/2 cups skim milk 1/2 tsp salt Mix all ingredients together and pour into a pie pan coated with non-stick cooking spray. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes then bake at an additional 45 - 50 minutes (until center is dry) at 375 degrees. **Use canned pumpkin puree and NOT canned pumkin pie mix as the pie mix has more sugar/calories.

Well Last week I weighed 180.8 and yesterday I weighed 177.3 so that means I lost 3.5 pounds this week.

Congrats Angie on the 2.4 lbs this week! That is beyond fantastic! Judging by your journals you have really earned it and I am so glad your choices are starting to pay off!

POINTS® Tracker entries Wednesday, November 25, 2009 Morning 2 Tbsp Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1.5 1 tsp coffee, instant or regular, powder 0 1 Tbsp sugar 1 1 1/2 cup(s) Low-Sodium Vegetable Juice 1 Subtotal 3.5 Midday 1/2 Cup Letil Soup 4 1 serving(s) Raspberry Lowfat Kefir 3 Subtotal 7 Evening Pumkin Pudding 2 Subtotal 2 Anytime 1 serving(s) Mishima Miso Soup Mix 1 Subtotal 1 Food POINTS values total used 13.5 Food POINTS values remaining 8.5 Activity No entries for activity. Activity POINTS values earned 0 Check off these important items daily: Liquids: 6 waters Milk & Milk Products: 3 Servings Fruit & Vegetables: 4 Servings Multivitamin/Mineral: 1 Flintstone Chewable Healthy Oil Activity Lean Protein: 2 Servings Whole Grains Calories thus far: 700 Approx

That is so cute Barb It sounds like you have a keeper!

I made the lower fat version of this soup and it is great. Anyway, I logged into my WW on-line account and put the ingredients in the Recipe Builder feature using the FAT FREE MILK and the 98% FAT FREE CREAM OF CHICKEN and with these substitutions the recipe is a total of 4.5 servings for 124 calories per serving and worth 3 WW POINTS PER SERVING. Now that is something I could live with! POINTS® Value: 3 Servings: 4.5 Preparation Time: 0 min Cooking Time: 15 min Level of Difficulty: Easy Course: main meals Ingredients 5 oz Las Palmas Enchilada sauce - medium 10 3/4 oz Campbell's Cheddar Cheese Soup 1 1/4 cup(s) fat-free skim milk 1 serving(s) Diced Green Chilies 10 3/4 oz Campbell's 98% Fat-Free Cream Of Chicken Soup I served it to my boyfriend for dinner and he said it was the best thing I ever made. My 17 year old son used it as a wet topping to his microwavable burritos and he said they tasted great with it. I love the consistancy of it, which gives it some flexability. I totally plan on using this as a topping for hot dogs and hamburgers and even mixing it with some olive oil to use as a salad dressing. This is also great cold as a dip for chips for parties too.

Good point! I also email my journal to Dr. So every night like he asked me to. He wants to see my eating habits so he can modify my first fill coming up to meet my needs. He did say that right now it is not so critical since I am still on liquids but that he will be very interested in my journals for weeks 4 & 5. So I do both - post my journals on this forum and email them to Dr. So. Call Dr. Miranda and see if you can email or fax her your journals on a daily basis yo keep you on track if that will make you feel more comfortable. Also, she can provide you with daily feedback on what you are eating and maybe modify something geared personally to you.

Okay I did my homework on this recipe and here is what I came up with: 1 can 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken = 200 Calories 1 can Cheddar Cheese = 250 calories 1 can enchilada sauce = 50 calories approx (depends on brand) 1 can of FAT FREE milk = 100 calories So if I assume (I hate assuming) that this recipe serves 6 people (at 1 cup per person measured of course) then that would be 100 calories per serving. I will make this tonight for the family and measure it out and report back. Sorry about being so annal but I just spent a lot of money on this band and I need to be accountable for what goes in my stomache. I am sure many of you feel the same way and that is why I am posting this. I want to eat this recipe too but I want to modify it towards a healthy lifestyle.

POINTS® Tracker entries Tuesday, November 24, 2009 Morning 1 serving(s) Naked Fruit Green Machine 3 1 tsp coffee, instant or regular, powder 0 2 Tbsp Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1.5 1 Tbsp sugar 1 Subtotal 5.5 Midday 1 serving(s) Mishima Miso Soup Mix 1 1 cup(s) Creamy tomato 1 Subtotal 2 Evening 1 serving(s) Mishima Miso Soup Mix 1 1 1/2 Cheese Enchilada Soup 3.5 Subtotal 4.5 Anytime 1 serving(s) Bigelow Vanilla Chai Tea 0 1 1/2 tsp sugar substitute 0.5 1/8 cup(s) fat-free skim milk 0 1 1/2 cup(s) Organic v8 1 Subtotal 1.5 Food POINTS values total used 13.5 Food POINTS values remaining 8.5 Activity No entries for activity. Activity POINTS values earned 0 Check off these important items daily: Liquids: 8 waters Milk & Milk Products: 3 servings Fruit & Vegetables: 6 servings Multivitamin/Mineral: 1 Flintstone chewable Healthy Oil Activity Lean Protein Whole Grains Aprrox Calories: 700