Pentagenarians & Beyond: W/B 5/23

I'm thinking I'll make greek spinach pie, the one with fillo. I haven't made it in ages so will try a minature version tonight and make sure we still like it. if we don't then probably a vegie lasagne, probably pesto asparagus. weather is cool showery so no hot weather food needed yet.
sunday I'll make turkey burgers with peanut sauce, cabbage salad.. they are less adventurous eaters and don't like vegetables. I baked cookies and brownies and will make some lemon squares too. that way if we go meet them I can bring something homemade for them to snack on. If they come here, I know the kids will probably eat turkey burgers with or without the sauce. It's too much cooking in 24 hours but we don't do this often, and it accidentally happened that everyone ended up available on this weekend. .

Deb, I've meant to ask , what do you do that requires the travel to D.C.?

Yes, the tower has proved to be really worth the money for us. my weight bench slides right under it so it isn't a space hog either. I liked the Sex & city TV series but I didn't care as much for the movie. Hope the second one is better... I like all the characters.

Cathy, are you sure you're doing all you can for the reflux? It can really come back to bite you if it's not well controlled.
 
Back from doctor. The power was 20% higher and he had to wipe off the anesthetic cream so rollers would work better. Ouch. It hurt a lot more than last time. This is only at 30, top setting is at 70. I don't know if I want him to up setting next time or not. This better work. Results come 3 months after LAST treatment. Oh well 2 down and 2 to go.
 
Joan, I'd ask your doc's office about this... I put the anesthetic cream on about 30 minutes before the procedure. Wiping the cream off did not make a difference, I stayed fairly numb, and the laser process took maybe 20 min. the tech cleaned everything off thoroughly before starting but I stayed numb. I could tell a definite difference where I'd used the anesthetic vs where I didn't. I skipped areas I didn't think she'd do and it was a much sharper pain where no anesthetic had been.
Also, what about some advil before? I've had a couple procedures ( IUDs etc) where I took 4 reg advil an hour before the procedure and it really damped things down. dramatically less uncomfortable. I would guess (??) it'd do the same for your face providing you can take ibuprofen without issues, and not everyone can. I'd ask before to make sure it's OK, because that would need to be an hour ahead. I'd think they would volunteer this info useful so you're as comfortable as possible but not all offices are the same.
 
Probably wiping it off wasn't the problem. They had wiped it off last time but this time swabbed with alcohol to get it all off. I think the setting was just higher. They put on cream an hour before and have me take advil 1/2 hour before. Actually this time I think they brought water only 20 min before and it didn't have time to work. Last time the redness took awhile to show up and I was somewhat sore for several hours. This time it really hurt right afterwards and when I first posted. The redness was more immediate and so was the swelling. Shortly after I posted it stopped hurting.
 
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well actually, traildoggie, i realized that i got a protien drink that was double dutch chocolate. DUH!! so, i did not drink it today and have been careful the last few days, cuz of the pain. today was much better, thanks, aanndd, that greek spinach pie sounds yummy. can ya give me the recipe? actually, all that looks good. are youa agorumet cook? the lemon squares sound yummy, too.:)

today was calorie killer w/naancy.:) love that workout. such a great one, and much harder than you think. been doing it for years and i still forget how hard it is.
well, g/kids tomorrow and sat, so no posting for a few days. have a great weekend!!!
 
Friday!!

Good morning!

No workout today, still trying to catch up on some needed sleep. I plan on doing lots of gardening this weekend, and starting the Lean phase of CLX. I have not viewed this phase yet so I am not sure if it is endurance, compound weights or what.

Valerie, when you give us details on STS it makes me wish I was doing that again. DH and I do not go anywhere on holidays, except for local places to get flowers, or go out to eat. It sounds like you know exactly how I feel then when it comes to this trip and how tired I am. I work for the Customs clearance division of FedEx. An association I belong to meets in DC twice a year, then in the winter we meet in a warm place, this coming Feb it will be in Tuscon. I have never been to Arizona, so looking forward to it. When we are in DC we meet with the staff of senators/congressmen that are over our districts to discuss trade issues on the Canada/US border, which is what we all are involved in. Bored now?

Joan, good job on the workouts and the eating. It will happen, just keep saying, "one workout, one pound at a time". "ouchie" on the face treatment...

Garance, I can't believe I messed up on the taping of DWTS, ended up watching the last hour of Tuesday's show on DH's laptop, which was ok until the final dances, then it was like slo-mo, so I think I will just go over to youtube and see if they have just those up yet.

Cathy, chocolate does bad things to you? sounds like you have a fun weekend planned.

Josie, have a good ride!

Hi to Kathy,

Take care,
 
My trial version of the spinach pie was just OK, so I'll make something else. I used to love it, but it's got a lot of butter so not exactly diet food. It turned out OK, but I've been eating lighter for so long that it seemed too "oily" to me, so not worth the calories. DH felt the same way. Geez, I get stressed over this kind of stuff, and it's cold and raining big time. I bought a cantalope and it was crummy, so had to toss it. bought 2 watermelons so far and they look good but are flavorless. wow, sometimes you just can't win. I can post the spinach pie recipe if you want but I probably wouldn't make it again. I know the lemon squares are worth the calories. I don't make them often either but they are simple and delicious.

Deb, that doesn't sound boring at all! tucson in Feb is lovely. I love AZ . I've always hated Florida and the co I used to work for always dragged us to FL for meetings. we went to AZ one time and it was great, but it wasn't hot and humid and all the higher ups liked that I guess.
 
Hi Ladies,

I have a couple of rides this weekend. They are short rides of 24 to 40 miles mostly flat and then we are going to celebrate by having a BBQ and swimming party. I don't know if I'm ready to wear my bathing suit yet. I'm a bit pale.

One of the groups is having a packing 101 class, so hopefully I will feel better and not worry about forgetting things. That is my biggest concern.

Deb, I will still be here next week from Monday through Thursday, so hopefully my DD will set up the blog address before I leave so that you ladies can track me down on the ride.

You can also go to the aidslifecycle.org; there is an interactive map under the travel planner section where you can see where we are from day 1 to day 7.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Josie
 
Hi Deb, Josie, Joan, Cathy, and Valerie--

This morning I did Ellen Barrett's Barefoot Cardio (48 min.).

Valerie, if you want a sure-fire recipe for guests, go to epicurious.com and type in the search box "Super-fast Spinach, Pesto, and Cheese Lasagna." Very easy, and a no-brainer in terms of putting it together. It is quite rich because of all the cheese, but it is not oily, and it's also lovely to freeze and re-heat. I usually make two at a time and freeze one in halves for another time. It is really, really yummy. I love fontina cheese. I also think you need to extend the baking time.

After reading 3 reviews, I don't think I will drag my poor husband to see this second SATC film. This one sounds like complete dreck. I will get my gardening done. I have several flats of state fair zinnias and some nasturtiums to plant, and this year I am making my own hanging baskets, with the hope that they last longer than the ones I usually buy. I also have just received my Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, so I intend to spend part of my afternoons reading that.

Deb, I started watching SYTYCD last night. Wow! Some of them are just plain amazing.

Joan, I hope all of your pain will ultimately be worth it. I can't wait to hear from you in 4-5 months (?) about how it all came out. Maybe when I retire . . . . .

Josie, I will keep with the race when it starts. I have a second cousin who races in the Iditarod every year and I love to follow that.

Hi to Cathy!

Have a great holiday weekend everyone!
 
This is what I'll make. I made it once but it's been a while. I'll use fontina cheese and standard lasagna not the pre cooked. those are not my notes at the end but I left them on in case you use precooked pasta.
Lynda , I'll take a look at epicurious too. I need a few more things that work for guests who aren't vegetarian. and I like things that don't need constant attention. there'll just be 4 of us and I want to get to know these people better, not be trapped in the kitchen. I like tofu, bean and grain dishes but not everyone else does so I'm cautious about serving those. most everyone likes lasagna even devout carnivores and I know they like asparagus.

I've read reviews of SATC and it sounds like a "pass" for me too. sometimes the limit of an entertaining idea is exceeded.

B]Asparagus-Pesto Lasagna
(Vegetarian Times; April 2006)
(Serves 10)

1/3 cup all purpose flour
3-1/2 cups low fat milk, divided
6 Tbsps pesto, or more to taste*
2 Tbsps. Grated Parmesan, plus additional for garnish, optional
1 tsp. salt
� tsp. black pepper
2 tsp olive oil
1-1/4 lb. asparagus spears, tips cut off and reserved, spears trimmed and chopped into 1/4� pieces
1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tsp)
16 no-cook lasagna noodles (9 oz)
(I used 9 noodles)
2 cups shredded Fontina or part-skim mozzarella (8 oz), divided

1. Preheat oven to 350. Whisk flour and � cup milk in saucepan until smooth. Gradually whisk in remaining milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, and boil 1 minute until thickened. Remove from heat: stir in pesto, parmesan, salt and pepper. Reserve one cup of the white sauce.

2. Warm oil in a large nonstick skillet over med-high heat. Add chopped asparagus (not tips) and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic, cook, stirring, 1 minute and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

3. Coat 13 x 9 baking dish, overlapping slightly. Layer with half of cooked asparagus, � cup cheese and half of sauce. Add another layer of pasta, remaining sauce, remaining cooked asparagus, and � cup cheese. Top with a layer of noodles, then with reserved cup of white sauce. Arrange reserved asparagus tipes over top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

4. Bake, uncovered. 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden. Let stand 10 minutes; serve with additional grated parmesan, if desired.

Per Serving: 413 cal; 21g protein; 17g total fat (8g saturated); 44g carb; 44mg chol; 686mg sod; 2.5g fiber; 8 g sugars

* Look for the freshest, most flavorful pesto in the refrigerator section of the supermaket, packed in vacuum sealed bags or plastic tubs.

NOTE: Given the way no-boil noodles expand, I used only 9 noodles, not 12, which filled the pan. While the lasagna rises high, it will sink down and be thin (but still very rich and creamy). Be careful not to overbrown, as the browned edges will dry out. I used 2% milk and 2% pre-shredded mozzarella.[/B]
 
Saturday

Good morning!

Yay for the weekend finally getting here. "don't wish your life away, Deb"..tha's what my Mom used to say when we "wished it was the weekend" or "wished it was my birthday"... I was so looking forward to sleeping in today, of course John decides that he is going fishing so he is rambling around the bedroom looking for clothes and getting dressed at around 6. ugh...thanks guy. So I am up and not wanting to do all the things on my list. A little caffine should take care of that :D

Josie, I too would be concerned about the packing aspect for the ride, and that I did not forget any essential thing. Love the fact that they have a packing 101 class for you. I will definitely follow the blog or whatever is set up to see your progress!

Garance, I never got into SYTYCD for some reason, strange since I love watching dancing. Maybe because it is not all ballroom? Not sure. I will try to watch a few episodes and maybe this time around I will like it better. What day/time is it on?

Valerie, that dish looks great! I would want some type of protein in it, like chicken...then it would be complete for me.

Joan, how is the treatment going? is it still painful?

Hi to Cathy, Kathy,

Have a great day!
 
It really doesn't need anything else... it's got a lot of flavor from the asparagus, pesto and the cheese. another flavor in there would be too much IMO. but I'm not a meat fan so I only speak for myself. It was from Vegetarian Times, and a lot of non vegies reviewed it and liked it. I spend time on the Cooking Light website and got it fom there. this is NOT my normal daily fare though!

Josie, I'll be checking on your progress too. Camping.. the smallest things can make the difference between being reasonably comfortable and not happy. I always bring along minimum makeup... Cetaphil to wash my face, foundation, mascara, eyebrow pencil. tiny travel size of course. but it's enough to make camping OK for me.
 

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