Easter hat parades got their start in New York City in the mid-1800s, when the lower and middle class would watch a spectacle of cosmopolitan socialites drifting down the avenue after Easter church services. The elite wore their Sunday best, including bonnets, top hats and chapeaus of all styles, colors and embellishments, and began a tradition known as the Easter parade. The tradition was immortalized in the movie "Easter Parade" with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire, and today, people from all walks of life stroll down fifth Avenue on Easter wearing flamboyant hat creations.


This Daisy would give up chocolate Easter bunnies and all the goodies of the Easter Basket to go. I'm sure I can talk Suzy into going....Mr. Wonderful may be a little more difficult. I can see me there with a Daisy Hat of some kind can't you. Where's Melli when you need her?

Daisy Dilemma: What kind of hat should I wear?

Labels: Easter

You Are Chocolate

You are dramatic, charming, and downright addicting. You have a strong personality, and and people are drawn to your fabulousness. You are stimulating and exciting. It's hard to get tired of you. You are incredibly likable and popular. You live a glorious life.

Labels: Chocolate

You Are White Chocolate

You are White Chocolate You are sweet, caring, and truly very innocent. Whether your naive ways are a bit of act or not, people like to take care of you. You are a quiet flirt, and your power is often underestimated!

Labels: White Chocolate

Well the scale is moving in the correct direction (to the left) and I'm starting to get excited about it. I'm soon to be the lightest I've been in over 20 years! I told Mr. Wonderful when that magic number appears on the scale I expect a whole York peppermint patty all to my self. (We usually split one!)

I've asked Joyce (she sorts clothes at the mission) to start looking for some size 18's for me. She knows me well and usually picks out just exactly what I would choose. It's nice not to have to run out and invest in a new wardrobe especially if I don't plan on being this size for long.

I've been really watching what goes in my mouth. We have been doing a lot of stir fry lately. I'm totally in love with the new steamed veggies that you can pull from the freezer and throw into the microwave. They taste just as good as fresh and are quick and easy after working all day.

I'm totally in love with Sugar Free Jello. Have you tried the Gogi Berry? It's really good.

Eating with chopped sticks has helped too. I'm not very good with them so it really slows down my food consumption. Since starting to use them I've not had any incidents of feeling choked . (Of course it could be because I given up bread and how much rice can you pick up with chop sticks?)

I've been trying to get 10,000 steps in a day so I'm wearing a pedometer. I usually get in 4 to 6 thousand . So I'm stepping up my stepping.

Labels: Success at last

You Are a Vanilla Cupcake

You are very sweet and mellow. You are easy going and easy to like. You are drawn to those stronger personalities. You get along with powerful people. You are like a cupcake because you appeal to almost every type of person. You are friendly and accepting. You bring out other people's best qualities.

Labels: cupcake. more vanilla

You Are Vanilla

You are a delightful, friendly person. You are optimistic about life and people. You are enthusiastic and energetic. You enjoy everything you do. You are cooperative and flexible. You get along with people from many walks of life. You're not a show off. Instead, you're more likely to help other people shine.

Labels: preferences

Is it back sliding when you automatically are drawn to books about food? They say you can't tell a book by it's cover but I am attracted to books with french pastry on the cover.

Yes, dear reader, just like Pavlov's dogs I begin to drool at the mere thought of french pastries so of course I was a goner when I saw this book at the library. I checked it out and was delightfully surprised that I enjoyed it so much.

The story is about a 20 something girl who moves to France to attend a Culinary school and become a pastry chef. It deals with many issues, such as loneliness, uncertainty, as well as adapting to a foreign culture .

What I especially liked about this book is the author's perspective of "Where is God in all of this?" Lexi, finds a church that has services in English and reaches out to French speaking people with an offer to learn and practice English as a way to get better jobs.

One thing the heroine learns is that "food taste better when you are hungry." Lexi is away from her friends, family and culture and discovers that God can be heard more clearly when He is all that is left. The book was entertaining as well as uplifting. (not to mention .....some killer reciepes!)

Labels: Book review

Exactly one year ago I had lap-band surgery. Now 55 pounds later I can say it was worth it. I still struggle with my weight and will always have to be diligent in making wise choices.

Before I had the surgery I was told that this surgery is a tool. It helps but you still have to do the work . I still have to drag my body around and make it exercise.

Eating is a challenge. I am cooking more than I ever have. My capacity is limited but I still can eat things that are fattening (I usually pay a price for it but you know me....I always have to push the limits.)

Mr. Wonderful gave me Ghiradeli Intense Dark Chocolate. It is full of antioxidants and better for you. It's actually on the flat belly diet. As you can see....I'm a little over anxious to dig in!

I did pretty well at my mom's house. Of course she didn't listen and made our favorite dishes. I did eat them but had small portions. I haven't weighed because I'm in denial right now. It was a good visit though and she is in good spirits.

So today is Monday.....My traditional day for getting back to the diet. So here's to the next 55 pounds and hopefully more.

Daisy Dilemma: What day of the week do you usually start your diet?

Labels: One year ago today

Oh No! How come every time you think you've come across something really good some body ( Mr. Wonderful) has to squash it?

Mr. Wonderful gave me several websites and even printed them out that says the Flat Belly Diet is a scam.

The reasons listed were :



1. The book cost 31.95 ( I bought Woman's World at the grocery store for $1.79)

2. One author claimed, "We have found the cure for belly fat." ( I agree that this is a red flag statement, anything that sounds too good to be true usually is.)

3. No exercise needed ( but highly recommended). ( always read the fine print.)

4. The basic diet is one of calorie restriction. ( well, duh? That's why it is called a diet!)

5. Every meal should have a MUFA (MonoUnsaturatedFattyAcid). This is a dead give away for a scam because it's the part where they put in the "magic" ( MUFA's are part of the so-called good fats.They come in 5 groups...certain nuts, certain oils, seeds, olives, avocodos, and dark chocolate. These foods are also found in the Mediterranean diet what has long been known to provide health benefits.

6. The diet alleges to hone in on belly fat. If you restrict your diet you will lose weight and some of it will come off your belly as well as other parts of your body. ( All I know is that I've lost 4 pounds and 2 inches off my belly and no where else.)

Over all there was nothing dangerous or bad about the diet. Everyone agrees restricted calories, exercise and good fats are healthy. No food group is restricted such as breads or fruits in low carb diets.

Bear in mind.....It seems to be working for me. I'm not hungry, I've had a small measure of success already, we are incorporating more vegetables in our diet and stir frying is fun, easy and tasty. The coconut oil is available locally, and any diet that tells me I need to eat two muffins a day is a winner in my book. We are also eating with chopped sticks . It gives the meal a little extra challenge and since I'm not good with chopsticks it certainly slows down my eating. So far it's all good. I'll keep you posted .

Labels: diet scams, Flat belly diet