grannyannie - Friday May 24, 2013
(Healthy food-fitness-getting back to ideal weight)
Weight: 134.8
Tried to buy some soy yogurt yesterday. Discontinued at my supermarket. Delivery to the only health food store in town was delayed. Even tried the small supermarket - nope. One of the few disadvantages of living in a somewhat remote location.
Left the gym early so I could walk up the hill to the health food store to buy some soy yogurt. There were 5 cartons (2 servings in each) and I tried to buy them all but the clerk said someone else had 'reserved' them. She did let me buy 2 of them though. She said this person reserved 6 of them every week and that they were very hard to get. So my options now are stop eating yogurt, go back to dairy yogurt, buy the soy yogurt in my supermarket that has added fruit and sugar. Grr...
Workout at gym:
35 mins spin bike
10 mins treadmill
4 sets of 12 on 4 resistance machines (upper body and back)
cables/pulley for triceps - 4 sets of 12
Workout at home (upper body): since my workouts have been thrown off by our visit to Oban on Weds I'm trying to make up for what I missed. Doing extra sets on my upper body routine.
7 min video routine for triceps/arms using .5kg wrist weights (serious burn using these weights!)
D: tofu and chickpea curry & basmati rice, salad w/pumpkin seeds and walnut pieces
S: plain soy yogurt & fresh strawberries
Teas & water
TOTAL: under 1400
Progress as of today: 32.2 lbs lost so far, only 4.8 lbs to go!
OhioRaven on 05/24/2013:
Wow ! I feel your pain. I know you'll do your detective work and secure a new cache of yogurt you can live with. Keep us posted on this :v)
grannyannie on 05/24/2013:
I think I'm stuck. Might just have to go back to dairy yogurt, but want to continue non-dairy at least until June 10th. Very limited shopping in this area.
thenewMLE on 05/24/2013:
How delicate is soy yogurt for spoiling? Would it be worth the trip into a bigger city for a health food store run for a big stock up? I don't eat yogurt so I don't really know the shelf life. But I know sour cream, if unopened can last a long time... Have a great weekend!!
grannyannie on 05/24/2013:
It only keeps about 2 weeks. A trip to the city is too big a hassle and takes an entire day. Oh well....
Have a great weekend!
thenewMLE on 05/24/2013:
I found this site http://sweethealthyliving.com/2012/08/homemade-soy-yogurt/ and it tells you how to make your own!! Most of the ones I read called for soy yogurt as one of the ingredients, but this one says if you can't find soy yogurt for the starter you can use "a non-dairy yogurt starter" I don't know if that is a packet of something or what it is, but I figured you could read and look at this. Wouldn't it be cool if you could make your own soy yogurt and have it with your hubby's homemade baked bread!! The little pleasures in life... I hope this works!
grannyannie on 05/24/2013:
Thanks, I'll check it out. Hubby said the same thing and I told him no way, too much trouble. But I'll take a look. :)
I'll never go totally non-dairy, just as much as I can. But I'll have to have occasional ice cream and 'real' cheese.
Umpqua on 05/24/2013:
I'm assuming almond milk yogurt isn't an option in your stores? You could make fruit smoothies with almond or soy milk and freeze them - not the same as yogurt but would make a decent snack substitute. I hope you have a nice weekend!
grannyannie on 05/24/2013:
No, haven't seen any almond milk yogurt. Trying to keep the sugar minimal as well. I'll just figure out the yogurt dilemma when we come back from the US. Just won't have any before our trip.
skinnygrlwithin on 05/24/2013:
HHmmm that is rather frustrating. Would your health food store let you reserve some as well every week? Or do you think it's possible to see if you could get some shipped to you instead of the grocery store??
grannyannie on 05/24/2013:
Apparently the health food store can't get very many delivered and they have a regular customer who reserves 6 every week. Couldn't get any shipped to me - has to be cold - and that would be a lot of trouble and expense.
legcramps on 05/24/2013:
Well doesn't that suck... I have no alternatives that you could try that others haven't already posted, so instead i'll just say that I never really liked yogurt all that much.
grannyannie on 05/24/2013:
I've become used to having yogurt every day, so I guess it's become habit like my porridge.
biscottibody59 on 05/24/2013:
I've made yogurt (years ago) and it was surprisingly easy. Not sure how different it would be to make it with some other liquid besides milk.
RYC: Thanks--I've gotta keep it moving!
grannyannie on 05/24/2013:
I think it's fairly easy to make yogurt with milk, but soy is a bit different.
I'll just eat the fruit I would have added to the yogurt and have more of it. :)
nenak on 05/24/2013:
Hope you resolve the soy yoghurt situation
V on 05/24/2013:
Is it possible to "pre order" the yogurt as well? I hope you find perfect resolve my friend..Have a good evening Annie <3
grannyannie on 05/25/2013:
The clerk indicated it was difficult to get, don't know why. So I give up.
grannyannie - Thursday May 23, 2013
(Healthy food-fitness-getting back to ideal weight)
Weight: 134.8
Enjoyed our day out yesterday. Posted last night what I ate yesterday.
I will continue with the vegan and 98% sugar-free diet until we go to the US. I've decided to be flexible with this as I know I can't be and don't want to be permanently 'vegan'. We travel too much and it's simply a big pain in the a**. I know it is the healthiest diet and I will basically be a non-dairy, occasional egg, vegetarian when at home. We love Quorn (which contains some egg) and will go back to using it when we come home from the US. I will try very hard to keep sugar minimal and will not use any artificial sweeteners at all because I don't trust them and don't know what to believe. When we travel or are guests at someone's house or have guests here, meat will be on the menu but I will try to keep mine to small portions.
Progress as of today: 32.2 lbs lost so far, only 4.8 lbs to go!
OhioRaven on 05/23/2013:
Looks Good, Annie. I always look to see what you eat from day to day. And your exercises ain't bad either. Have a Great Day !
grannyannie on 05/23/2013:
Thanks, Ohio. During a normal week I get in 8 hours of exercise (cario + muscle).
OhioRaven on 05/23/2013:
By the way, I'm sticking to me Stevia.
grannyannie on 05/23/2013:
I've read that it's okay but I just don't trust any of them any more. I've got 2 1/2 large boxes of Stevia in my cupboard that I got on sale. :/
skinnygrlwithin on 05/23/2013:
You really have just a great workout routine!! As for the vegan lifestyle part of the time... I think that's a really good compromise and far better than I could ever do!
nenak on 05/23/2013:
I like how you are always open for compromise that's how you'll keep the weight off great job x
grannyannie on 05/23/2013:
Yea, we have to be flexible to get if off and keep it off.
Umpqua on 05/23/2013:
Yes being a full-time vegan is a major PITA. I like your plan :) Glad you had a nice visit with daughter yesterday too!
grannyannie on 05/23/2013:
Thanks! She wants more oatmeal raisin cookies next visit! I managed vegan for 6 months when I did this before. And I did manage to eat out once a week. Usually boring choices though.
V on 05/23/2013:
LOL a your daughter wanting more cookies,I bet you are an awesome baker Annie :)
Anyhoo you know not sticking with the vegan lifestyle full time certainly isn't a deal breaker.. i think you are one of the healthiest eaters around not to mention your dedication to your workouts..Integrity at it's finest my friend! Have a good evening!
grannyannie - Wednesday May 22, 2013
(Healthy food-fitness-getting back to ideal weight)
Weight: 134.8
Just got home from our day out. Nice day with daughter weather was sunny but very chilly due to the direction of the wind. Brrrr... I didn't eat any of the cookies I baked for her and she was very happy to get them. She's enjoying her volunteering and all the people she works with and the guests. She's already met a fellow Ugandan, a Kenyan, a British woman who volunteered in Uganda.
L: jacket potato topped w/baked beans and onion, green salad w/dollop of cole slaw (not stricly vegan as there would have been mayo in the slaw which contains some egg)
S: had 3 or 4 of daughter's chips (fries), small amount of fruit-seed-cashew mix
D: we found a pub that had a vegan dish on the menu - vegetable tagine w/couscous, 1 1/2 pints of beer
Nearly vegan for the day (except the mayo), no sugar, estimated calories about 1700-1750. Not bad.
Scale is going downwards. Just might make my deadline!
Progress as of today: 32.2 lbs lost so far, only 4.8 lbs to go!
nenak on 05/22/2013:
Sounds Like you had a fab day and controlled your eating good for you x
grannyannie - Tuesday May 21, 2013
(Healthy food-fitness-getting back to ideal weight)
Weight: 135.4
Had to go for my mammogram this morning. In our area we go to a mobile unit that goes around to rural areas. Since the appointment time was good for taking the hourly bus I was dropped off in front of the hospital and afterwards I walked to the gym which is only 3/4 of a mile. Good warmup before the gym.
Been watching CNN here about those devastating tornaoes!
No gym tomorrow as we're taking a day trip to Oban - a nice town on the west coast. Our (Ugandan) daughter is enjoying her volunteering on the island very much. She's going to take the ferry over to Oban and we'll meet up for lunch as it's her first day off. I am about to bake some oatmeal raisin cookies to take to her to share with roommates, and it's going to be a HUGE challenge not to do a taste test. Non vegan as it has eggs, has sugar, and has too many calories!
Progress as of today: 31.6 lbs lost so far, only 5.4 lbs to go!
Umpqua on 05/21/2013:
It sounds like you have a fun day planned with daughter tomorrow. I'm happy to hear she's enjoying her volunteer work!
grannyannie on 05/21/2013:
Thanks! She's already met a Ugandan who came for retreat. The woman has lived in Scotland for about 10 years. Nice for her as she is the only African volunteer this summer.
Horn_Of_Plenty on 05/21/2013:
Yeah, real sad to hear about all that destruction. Thanks for the positive words on my entry ;-)
Puddles on 05/21/2013:
Have a great time with your daughter. Do not test out the cookies. LOL Only cars you test drive not cookies. I am sure they will be good. LOL Have a great day Annie.
grannyannie on 05/21/2013:
LOL. They are all bagged up now and I'm just ignoring them. :)
getmebackto150 on 05/21/2013:
Agghhh baking cookies and not tasting sure is a HUGE challenge... Good luck!!! Have a good day:)
skinnygrlwithin on 05/21/2013:
Oatmeal raisin cookies... I dunno if I could resist!!! You can do it. Have a good time with your daughter.
hollybelle on 05/21/2013:
Walking to gym is great! I would walk to work each day if I didn't need my car so much of the day - and I never know when, usually. I may give it a go, though - I have really been thinking about how to sneak in exercise!
grannyannie on 05/21/2013:
Wish I could walk to the gym but I live 10 miles away! I enjoyed my walk as it was warm and sunny.
nenak on 05/21/2013:
Raining here again glad your enjoying good weather pass some down lol
V on 05/21/2013:
Yeah that was so sad to watch the coverage, my heart goes out to Oklahoma..I am sure your daughter will be thrilled to see you guys!! How long does it take you to get to Oban?
You know I totally forgot to say congrats on your recent loss! Keep that in mind when you are making those cookies my friend, LOL Have a great evening Annie :)
grannyannie on 05/22/2013:
Since we are taking free buses instead of driving it takes just over 2 hours.
Thanks! Did not eat any cookies!
selina on 05/23/2013:
I'm also so sad to watch the news. I made the mistake of looking through some photos on MSN: the photo of the injured horses made me cry. :(
grannyannie - Monday May 20, 2013
(Healthy food-fitness-getting back to ideal weight)
Weight: 135.4
3 weeks from tomorrow we fly to the US (Michigan) to see my family for a month. Miss my granddaughters! I have ordered one pair of dumbbells, an exercise mat, ankle weights from amazon in the US and am having them shipped to my sister's house. I am bringing my jump rope and wrist weights with me. My sister and I will go to her over 50's fitness class a few times and then I'll probably go to a one hour spin bike class with my SIL. These muscles are not going to dissolve while I'm gone!
My diet is nearly sugar-free, but not quite. My porridge is unsweetened and I'm used to that. I found plain unsweetened yogurt a the health food store and it's a bit dull but I'm getting used to it. I like my fat free vinaigrette on my salad and it has a wee bit of sugar and I don't use very much anyway. My hot sauce for curries has a wee bit of sugar. When I have an occasional coffee or cappuccino I use a small amount of almond milk which has some sugar.
Workout at gym:
35 mins spin bike - intense
10 mins treadmill - uphill
10 mins rowing machine
4 sets of 12 on 4 resistance machines (upper body and back)
cables/pulley for triceps - 4 sets of 12
Workout at home (upper body):
7 min video routine for triceps/arms using .5kg wrist weights
OhioRaven on 05/20/2013:
Thanks, Annie. You'll probably be running that class soon.
grannyannie on 05/20/2013:
LOL. Maybe if they start an old lady class! I'm twice the age of the instructor and she is made of steel...doesn't even get breathless.
Umpqua on 05/20/2013:
Sounds like the vegan diet is going great, good for you and I'm impressed with your loss! There are so many great almond and soy milk products out there now. I continue to use almond milk in my cereal and with baking (have used it for baking for years) and my younger son loves the chocolate soy milk so I keep that stocked. Have to be careful not to overdo that though ;) Have a good one!
grannyannie on 05/20/2013:
Thanks! Unfortunately, shopping is very restricted here - one supermarket, one health food store. But I'm finding what I need although more variety would be nice.
skinnygrlwithin on 05/20/2013:
You're really doing such an amazing job... and good for you for planning out exercises while you're away... always the hardest part in my opinion... vacations and weekends.
grannyannie on 05/20/2013:
I haven't been keeping up enough on our trips (which are normally 3 to 4 weeks) and that means I feel like I'm starting from scratch when I come home! Ack!
nenak on 05/20/2013:
Wow impressive menu and exercise! Go grannieannie!!!!!
grannyannie on 05/20/2013:
Thanks! Deadline coming up so have to be serious!
grannyannie - Sunday May 19, 2013
(Healthy food-fitness-getting back to ideal weight)
Weight: 138.0
Restarting at Day 1 vegan diet. Didn't weigh myself this morning but will do so tomorrow.
I'm taking a B complex now even though B vitamins are added to the soy milk, etc. Just want to be sure. Hubby is doing this with me but he eats Marmite which is loaded with B vitamins. I hate it!
grannyannie on 05/19/2013:
:) Good morning Ohio. We do eat tofu anyway, but now will eat more because Quorn is made with egg so can't eat that. Grr..
nenak on 05/19/2013:
Good morning sounds like a great day 1! Raining here again spring has not sprung yet!
grannyannie on 05/19/2013:
We had gorgeous days on both Thursday and Friday last week - almost felt like summer. But back to the usual Scottish dreich yesterday and today. :(
mylilsista on 05/19/2013:
Wow...your exercise routine and menu sounds great!
Puddles on 05/19/2013:
Back on track for you. It sound good. Keep up the good work Annie. Have a great day.
grannyannie - Saturday May 18, 2013
(Healthy food-fitness-getting back to ideal weight)
Weight: 138.0
Ooops! Started out for the funeral early this morning with good intentions. Had my usual porridge breakfast, packed some oatcakes w/pb and weighed out some dried fruit/seed/cashew mix.
The gathering after the service was in a pub and was a sit down catered meal. I refused a beer and had some black tea and a glass of water. Then the server brought us all bowls of soup. Took a spoonful and could taste some kind of meat broth. A few more spoonfuls and I realized it was lamb. Gave away the rest of the bowl and had my oatcakes w/pb. Then the server came around with our meals - plates of steak pie, chips (fries) and peas. I ate the chips and peas and was going to give away the pie or just leave it, but I kept looking at that luscious golden, flaky crust and those big chunks of steak.....and I ate it!! Things were getting to a party atmosphere so also had a couple of beers.
So, Day 3 of vegan down the tubes. Calories not too great either.
But, tomorrow is another day and I'll be back to my very healthy vegan diet and my workouts.
Progress as of today: 29 lbs lost so far, only 8 lbs to go!
Puddles on 05/18/2013:
Annie just so much we can push away. Thank God for tomorrows. Pretty hard to go to a pub and not have a few brews and food.
OhioRaven on 05/18/2013:
Oh, Man...I though you had this ! Ha-ha. At least you lasted 3 days. I probably couldn't make it 3 hours. Start again tomorrow. Looking forward to your adventure.
grannyannie on 05/19/2013:
Haha Ohio. I made it for 6 months before. Just starting again today. Should have asked for a plate without the pie so I wouldn't have it tempting me while I ate the chips and peas.
selina on 05/18/2013:
Your meal at the pub sound heavenly! My kind of food! Have a great weekend!
grannyannie on 05/19/2013:
It was yummy. I think it's the second time I've eaten a steak pie which made it so tempting. Hubby didn't eat his but did eat the soup with lamb juice.
grannyannie - Friday May 17, 2013
(Healthy food-fitness-getting back to ideal weight)
Weight: 138.0
Internet is back up here! Wish we had a choice of which provider we use, but our area is stuck with only one.
Daughter is settling in at her volunteer position on the island. She enjoys her job and her housemates and roommates. As before when she spent a week at the community as a participant, they often serve soup which she doesn't like. Soup is never part of the menu in Uganda. They find it difficult to view soup as a main course. Often when hubby and Ilived there and someone would stop by our house when having soup for dinner, we'd be asked where the real food was!
Tomorrow we are going to a funeral - husband's uncle by marriage. I don't think I've ever met him. The buffet afterwards will be a challenge - no vegan options I'm sure - and it will be loaded with sweets which I've cut as well. I'm going to pack a couple of oatcakes w/pb so I don't starve.
Workout at gym:
30 mins spin bike
15 mins treadmill - uphill
10 mins rowing machine
4 sets of 12 on 4 resistance machines (upper body and back)
cables/pulley for triceps - 4 sets of 12
Workout at home (upper body):
7 min video routine for triceps/arms using .5kg wrist weights
Puddles on 05/17/2013:
This is certainly an interesting menu. I can see you have switch over to your new plan. Have a great day. Sorry to hear about your husband's uncle.
V on 05/17/2013:
Awesome idea to bring some healthy options for the funeral.. I feel your daughter's pain, soup is def NOT my idea of dinner unless it is Chili or Stew..I hope she doesn't get too hungry :( have a wonderful weekend Annie <3
grannyannie - Friday May 17, 2013
(Healthy food-fitness-getting back to ideal weight)
Weight: 138.0
My internet is down and it is far too difficult to post here using my android. Hope to catch up in a couple of days.
Progress as of today: 29 lbs lost so far, only 8 lbs to go!
OhioRaven on 05/17/2013:
Ok, Annie. Have a good day or two.
grannyannie on 05/17/2013:
Thanks. It's back on! Will do a new post.
Puddles on 05/17/2013:
Talk to you soon - take care and have a great day Annie
grannyannie - Thursday May 16, 2013
(Healthy food-fitness-getting back to ideal weight)
Weight: 138.0
Been gone for two days. We've taken our daughter to the island for the beginning of her 14-week volunteering. It's such a gorgeous island but it was SO windy, which is common. Forecast was for rain both days but it was sunny the entire time! She was a bit nervous and also very sad to see us leave. She'll be the only African there during her stay as they find it very difficult to get sponsorship for Africans (risk for remaining illegally). There will be other non-British/Americans there as well though. Three years ago she came to stay with us for nearly 3 months during university break, so the UK is not totally new to her. I did notice another cultural difference when she met with her 'boss'. She held out her wrist to be shaken instead of her hand. This is common for women in Uganda, especially if your hands are not clean. So I pointed this out to her and we practiced shaking hands. Hubby says she'll figure all this out herself. Here's a shot of her on one of the beautiful beaches:
Workout:
30 mins torture spin class
Workout at home (lower body):
squats, lunges w/dumbbells
thighs/glutes with ankle weights
planks - full and alternating
thigh master
abs-4 routines
bridge (for glutes, core, thighs)
calf lifts
Menu: this is day one of our vegan experiment. I will also be 99% sugar free (ex can't buy unsweetened soy yogurt). No artificial sweeteners either.
L: 2 rough oatcakes w/pb (after spin and before grocery shopping)
L: soy yogurt & raspberries, apple
D: veggie curry & basmati rice (with a vegan brand of Quorn), salad w/walnuts & pumpkin seeds
S: ??
Lots of teas and water
TOTAL: under 1400
I have gained from our weekend dinner with friends, from a bit of cheating, and from two days on the island. Only have 3 weeks and 4 days to get to goal which I've changed to 130!! Going to work out 6 days a week, with a light workout on the 7th day. Funeral of husband's uncle on Saturday and I guess I'd better bring some oatcakes w/pb as the buffet will not have any vegan/sugarless foods.
Progress as of today: 29 lbs lost so far, only 8 lbs to go!
selina on 05/16/2013:
What a beautiful place! Your African daughter looks so sweet!
OhioRaven on 05/16/2013:
You sure have a servants heart, Annie. Bless you for all that you do. And good luck going Vegan. I'm looking forward to your posts. Have a great day.
Puddles on 05/16/2013:
Great post - always enjoy reading your posts. Have a great day.
SummerAndBeyond on 05/16/2013:
The photo is beautiful - I hope all goes well for her!
liza36 on 05/16/2013:
Lovely picture, lovely surroundings!
V on 05/16/2013:
Aww I am sure she will be sad to leave you guys but don't worry Annie, she will do just fine I am sure of it!! Love YOU <3
grannyannie on 05/17/2013:
Thanks, dear friend! xx
Started out for the funeral early this morning with good intentions. Had my usual porridge breakfast, packed some oatcakes w/pb and weighed out some dried fruit/seed/cashew mix. 
Things were getting to a party atmosphere so also had a couple of beers. 
Wish we had a choice of which provider we use, but our area is stuck with only one. 
Going to work out 6 days a week, with a light workout on the 7th day. Funeral of husband's uncle on Saturday and I guess I'd better bring some oatcakes w/pb as the buffet will not have any vegan/sugarless foods.
Wow ! I feel your pain. I know you'll do your detective work and secure a new cache of yogurt you can live with. Keep us posted on this :v)
I think I'm stuck. Might just have to go back to dairy yogurt, but want to continue non-dairy at least until June 10th. Very limited shopping in this area.
thenewMLE on 05/24/2013:
How delicate is soy yogurt for spoiling? Would it be worth the trip into a bigger city for a health food store run for a big stock up? I don't eat yogurt so I don't really know the shelf life. But I know sour cream, if unopened can last a long time... Have a great weekend!!
It only keeps about 2 weeks. A trip to the city is too big a hassle and takes an entire day. Oh well....
Have a great weekend!
thenewMLE on 05/24/2013:
I found this site http://sweethealthyliving.com/2012/08/homemade-soy-yogurt/ and it tells you how to make your own!! Most of the ones I read called for soy yogurt as one of the ingredients, but this one says if you can't find soy yogurt for the starter you can use "a non-dairy yogurt starter" I don't know if that is a packet of something or what it is, but I figured you could read and look at this. Wouldn't it be cool if you could make your own soy yogurt and have it with your hubby's homemade baked bread!! The little pleasures in life... I hope this works!
Thanks, I'll check it out. Hubby said the same thing and I told him no way, too much trouble. But I'll take a look. :)
I'll never go totally non-dairy, just as much as I can. But I'll have to have occasional ice cream and 'real' cheese.
Umpqua on 05/24/2013:
I'm assuming almond milk yogurt isn't an option in your stores? You could make fruit smoothies with almond or soy milk and freeze them - not the same as yogurt but would make a decent snack substitute. I hope you have a nice weekend!
No, haven't seen any almond milk yogurt. Trying to keep the sugar minimal as well. I'll just figure out the yogurt dilemma when we come back from the US. Just won't have any before our trip.
skinnygrlwithin on 05/24/2013:
HHmmm that is rather frustrating. Would your health food store let you reserve some as well every week? Or do you think it's possible to see if you could get some shipped to you instead of the grocery store??
Apparently the health food store can't get very many delivered and they have a regular customer who reserves 6 every week. Couldn't get any shipped to me - has to be cold - and that would be a lot of trouble and expense.
legcramps on 05/24/2013:
Well doesn't that suck... I have no alternatives that you could try that others haven't already posted, so instead i'll just say that I never really liked yogurt all that much.
I've become used to having yogurt every day, so I guess it's become habit like my porridge.
biscottibody59 on 05/24/2013:
I've made yogurt (years ago) and it was surprisingly easy. Not sure how different it would be to make it with some other liquid besides milk.
RYC: Thanks--I've gotta keep it moving!
I think it's fairly easy to make yogurt with milk, but soy is a bit different.
I'll just eat the fruit I would have added to the yogurt and have more of it. :)
nenak on 05/24/2013:
Hope you resolve the soy yoghurt situation
Thanks!
V on 05/24/2013:
Is it possible to "pre order" the yogurt as well? I hope you find perfect resolve my friend..Have a good evening Annie <3
The clerk indicated it was difficult to get, don't know why. So I give up.