Healthy Maintenance Support Group**

Hi!  I'd like to start a new 'HEALTHY Maintenance Support Group' thread here... We can lend support to one another through-out our maintenance journey, share health and nutrition information, daily food menu's, any interesting recipe's etc....  Most importantly, there will be NO weigh-ins and please NO posting of weights.  The actual number isn't important here... (in other threads I've participated in it actually can get quite discouraging)... so, please, none of that here.  Let's focus on maintaining a healthy weight, being healthy, and living life.   So, who's with me??

Good morning Maintenance Buddies. I’m on sugar-free day 3 and it’s going pretty well so far – my weight is going down but I can’t really be sure on only 3 days of data (I was 2 lbs less today than yesterday, 1 lb MORE yesterday than the day before – obviously need more data). Had an awesome yoga session lat night – really kick-butt. Not sure if it’s ok to say that about yoga LOL.

Plan for today: B: eggs, cheese, tomato S: baby bel L: salmon, cabbage, cauliflower S: almonds, Carrots, celery, green beans D: ???

I’m going for drinks after work so I’m thinking of a second afternoon snack of ~200 cal and then a small dinner (300 cal) when I get home – maybe breakfast for dinner meal.

Eva: Good luck w the yoga DVD. I’m sure you will find it challenging. Definitely watch the intro first, he shows how to modify everything. Sorry about the processor – maybe it wasn’t powerful enough for the nuts? I have a Cuisinart and that thing will chop through everything and lasts forever (it’s over 10 yrs old).

Chrissy: mmm ice cream diet – that would beat the cookie diet IMO any day! If you have different flavours and toppings, I’m sure it could theoretically get all the nutrients you need LOL. Could you eat tuna or salmon in lieu of chicken? Tuna is great, only 140 cals for the entire can.

Sarah: Wow, you had a long day. Hope you have some time to recharge your batteries before getting right back at it.

Laura: “fantastic” and “dentist” are 2 words that I rarely hear in one sentence. Glad your injury is mended. I’m heading to the cottage on Friday after work. I haven’t decided if we’re going to eat in town and then head up, or try and make it up before everyone gets too hungry and cranky (esp me!). The cottage is about 90 min away – more in the summer with traffic. This time of year, I expect traffic to be light. I guess women in my position (demanding job, demanding kids, demanding hubby) have to do things for other people. I’m lucky to have more balance than many – at least I have help at home (BEST nanny in the whole world!!). Some women in similar positions (notably my mother back in the day) have to do what I do without a nanny or other support; I have it good compared to most. Last year I bought a coat that I totally didn’t need and a very not-practical colour. My justification is that it’s classic and will last for years and I can use it on special occasions – it will have to last given what I paid LOL (well, it was on sale for ½ price!). BUY THE COAT!!

Karey: Glad you survived the kitty washing. I’ve never heard of that – do you get lots of cats at your job? I can’t imagine that any cat likes to be washed… I could never become veg – I am a huge meat eater. Love meat and animal products, not very PC, but whatever :-)

Debra: i guess i haven't been eating much seafood lately. i don't dislike it but i don't much care for it unless it's prepared just right...i do like tuna though. i'll buy some the next time i'm at the store. Sounds like your sugar free trip is going well, just make sure you return to a more balanced diet when this is all over. It can become tempting to keep losing and that's a slippery slope. Do you watch the macronutrient ranges? if so, what are yours typically?

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i'm thinking of reducing my carb intake a bit. still eating a balanced diet but more like 50% instead of the 60% i'm getting now. It's not a major source of concern though, just crossed my mind. i think that would force me to get more healthy fats and perhaps get a bit more protein. 

Chrissy: Macronutrient range means %carbs protein etc? If so, then, no, I don't track. As you know I don't eat much carbs except fruit and veggies and some bread or corn on weekends. I'm looking forward to re-introducing fruit, but I can keep sugar-free up fairly easily for about another few days. I plan on having some treats with the girls at the cottage this weekend (in moderation). I understand the slippery slope, but I reviewed my last few months of data and it's actiually been a long time since I was firmly in the centre of my maintenance range. It's also very easy for weight to creep up slowly and for me to lie to myself. Just nipping things in the bud before they get out of hand... I'd rather have to lose 2-3 lbs instead of 5-10. Thanks for the reality check and the concern, it's very helpful to have other put in their 2 cents. People in my real life don't understand and I've mostly stopped talking about it. Do you eat eggs? Eggs are great for protein and can be prepared in a million different ways.

Debra: of course i eat eggs you silly goose..almost daily and i post it on here each and evry time with my meal "plan" that never stays on course. haha. by macronutrient ranges yes i meant carbs, protein, fats. i eat A LOT of bread products. i actually grabbed two bagels, oatmeal, cheese crackers, and a pretty high carb bar. i need to cut it back a bit. I think my body looks nicer when i eat less carbs to be honest, i just need to sometimes to make sure i get enough cals in.

oops - you caught me - I only scan meal plans for items that are new to me - and I tend to forget and mix up what people eat/don't eat. I find carbs leave me feeling hungry - I could probably eat 3 bagels in one sitting if I let myself. So for me, it's too little benefit for too many calories. Of course, to each his own. You are younger and more active than me, you can eat more cals. And if it's carbs that do it for you, then go to it...

Original Post by debra123:

oops - you caught me - I only scan meal plans for items that are new to me - and I tend to forget and mix up what people eat/don't eat. I find carbs leave me feeling hungry - I could probably eat 3 bagels in one sitting if I let myself. So for me, it's too little benefit for too many calories. Of course, to each his own. You are younger and more active than me, you can eat more cals. And if it's carbs that do it for you, then go to it...

Debra: unfortunately carbs don't really do it for me. usually i'm ravenous if i have too many. i like to have carby snacks to get my carbs in. weird i guess. i prefer to have a wrap filled with veggies and cheese than to have pasta in a meal. or a bagel as a snack instead of rice. or oatmeal as a snack. So i incorporate my carbs usually as a snack that is more filling than your typical snack. it works i guess. 

hello hello!  i need to get a lot of work today, but if i get it done i'm going to reward myself by stopping by some shops on the way home and looking for a coat.  of course, this is just so that you'll all stop harassing me. :)  thanks for the push.  i'm also going to a wedding on saturday and, despite having a closet full of dresses, feel like i have nothing to wear.  if i can find a cheap dress, i may indulge in that as well (though i really shouldn't).  i'm going to nyc in two weeks for a conference.  i have a bunch of friends there whom i'm hoping to see and just heard back from one who booked us reservations as one of the best seafood restaurants in the city!  she's a real foodie, too, so i trust it will be amazing.  i never eat out and, when i do, it's never the "best' of anything, so this will be a real treat. 

chrissy: i don't weigh myself, which is why i don't talk about fluctuations!  i know my weigh fluctuates some and i don't worry about trying to control the fluctuations.  there are certainly times when i "feel" heavier and times when i "feel" lighter, but i have no idea whether those correspond to actual changes in my weight.  my perspective on the issue is that so long as i'm not making any drastic changes to my intake or exercise, my weight will be about the same.  i didn't realize you bought so many books on amazon...i can see why that's a good deal.  online shopping is so tempting.  it's too easy.  way too easy.  the only "food" i buy online are supplements: protein powder and bcaa pills.  of course, i always welcome food gifts from others though.  :).  i'm sorry your affair with the ice cream last night left you feeling like a glutton.  i know that you know you're not actually a glutton and that eating ice cream when you hadn't planned is not a signal that you lost control.  you just opted to go with what you wanted in the moment and that's fine.  there's value in that.  you SHOULD treat yourself in that manner on occasion.  i have no doubt your body looks amazing when you're having 60% carbs, so if that's the intake you PREFER, i suggest just keeping things as they are.  sometimes the real challenge is devoting your energy to NOT doing things in response to feeling less-than-satisfied with yourself. it also looks like you've bumped your wo's back up to 40-45 minutes?  even if you're looking to change things now, try also to practice appreciating what you have.  because that's BEYOND wonderful.  :)

eva: yes, absolutely easier said than done.  AND you can CHOOSE to do it.  it's a choice. 

sara: so sorry about your long day.  you sounded exhausted last night.  you mentioned your day was mentally AND emotionally draining, so i wanted to check in and see if things are OK? 

debra: i LOVE the feeling of clean teeth!  my hygienist was also strangely gentle and checked in with me (a bit too often for my taste) about hurting me.  karey and i had a discussion a while ago about liking the dentist.  i think joss likes it too (which means i'm not weird!).  what color was your coat?  i love red coats and i have a really warm, tweed coat from jcrew that is red and white...but i don't wear it anymore because i don't live in a climate that requires a coat that heavy.  i'm looking for something that is warmer than a fall coat but perhaps not quite as warm as a full-on winter coat...maybe like an unlined coat or something.  when i first read your post, i thought you said you bought a CAR that was not a practical color!  i imagined you driving a bright yellow Porsche or something!  i agree that many women have a lot of duties AND that doesn't mean that what YOU do isn't a lot and amazing.  both things can be true.  :)

karey:  i LOVE LOVE LOVE karen (the hottie from the hip-hop routine you saw).  when adam shankman fell out of his chair, i literally laughed out loud!  and i never ever do that when i'm watching tv alone!  she was great last week too.  did you see the stacy toochie routine about fear?  that was amazing.  i'm glad you're going to eat food if that's what you want to do.  protein powder does absorb faster, but the small difference isn't something that's going to impact YOU because you're not a competitive weight lifter.  i use protein powder because it's not convenient for me to eat immediately after i workout.  i can't imagine asking anyone to bathe my cats.  i know my cat, bella, would probably claw someone's eyes out.  she has had a history of problems with pooping on herself (because she has long hair and i'm just amazingly lucky in this way).  when this happens, i have to run her under the sink to get her clean and i swear i've almost lost an eye every time.  you're a brave lady!

 

Chrissy:  That was the last of my mac & cheese... it was lonely in the freezer, lol.  Have you gotten any yet?  Chocolate soymilk is yummo.  As for my job, I work on commission + tips, and I set my own prices and hours usually.  Not a bad gig.  ;)  Glad you got your eating plan all nailed down and planned out.  I had zucchini and baby carrots today too.

Debra:  Glad you had an awesome yoga session last night.  Not sure if you saw my question from the other day about any suggested videos... maybe I just missed the reply.  Have a great time out for drinks!  :)  Oh, and  no I don't get many kitties... I don't usually do them because they can be crazy and dangerous if you get bitten.  I won't touch them with a clipper... many people ask if I shave them, lol.  Only a bath here and there if the kitty is good...  My cat actually doesn't mind having a bath too much, but the one the other day hated it.

Laura:  Hope you got all your work done and were able to reward yourself w/a new coat.... and dress.  ;)  I bought a new dress after work today, but it's a casual sundress and it was so cheap on clearance, I just couldn't resist.  I love sundresses... plus, it's a long one, so I figure I can pair it w/a little sweater and still wear it if it cools down a bit.  ;)  Ooh, NYC... I've never been, but really want to go.  That's exciting!  Not sure about the whole seafood restaurant (don't eat seafood), but I'm sure you'll have a great time and it'll be fabulous.  That girl Karen on sytycd is awesome (and gorgeous)... I love the fun and upbeat routines... don't care much for just the regular dance type routines.  Nope, didn't get to see the fear routine... missed last week.  :(  LOL, I don't think I'd want to bathe your cat Bella... I'd like to keep my eyes!  Working on cats makes me very nervous... they're so temperamental.

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Ugh, what a day... I'm exhausted.  I didn't have that many dogs to work on today, but I had a new one that was VERY dirty and matted and such a handful.  Anytime anyone walked by he'd go nuts, making it impossible to work on him... took me forever, but he looked pretty handsome.   I have a few new scratches on my arms to remember him by (he kept trying to "paw" me), lol.  Didn't get much sleep last night... I had to get up w/my dog at 2:30 because she couldn't stop scratching & licking because of her bad allergies.  Had to go give her some Benadryl and rub her ear that was driving her crazy.  I was able to walk-in after work and get an apt at the vet... over $300 later and she's on her way to feeling better.  Seems that her allergies were causing a lot of problems and infections, but luckily I caught it early... now she's just on a ton of meds.  It's worth it though because she'll feel so much better soon.  Vet thinks it's the Ragweed... probably won't get better until it gets cold enough here to kill it all.  Hoping to get my workout in later after dinner...

 

 

Laura: don't get me wrong, I don't feel out of control at all about having ice cream...just like a glutton. There's no reason why anyone should eat as much ice cream as I do. I had over 500 calories of ice cream yesterday, that's a bit ridiculous. Carbs carbs glorious carbs...haha. I feel like that's all I eat. Since its at the expense of other nutrients that's why I'd change it. Play around with it a bit. I haven't felt challenged in my workouts and 30 mins is really not enough for me. I was doing 30-40 minutes before because this new schedule threw me off but I've gotten it down pretty well and I'm not able to do 45 without a problem. Some days less and some more depending on the intensity of the exercise.

Karey: oh I thought you had made the macaroni fresh. I didn't realize those were leftovers. That pasta is pretty expensive so I don't think ill be ordering it anytime soon. Your job seems perfect for you and completely self determined in terms of your pay/income, granted you can't force people to take care of their pets but you know what I mean :)

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I'm doing my lesson on friday. A bit nervous about it because my guiding teacher will of course be there and its my first one so it will set his expectations for me. I'm going to work on it tonight.

Karey: It was a cheap one I guess.. but one time! I'm going to get a better quality one today.  Thats good! You need a rest day. :) Is it the same kind of workout? Like on elliptical then some days doing strength? Sorry if I seem like I'm being nosy.. hehe It's just when I get my cals up more I want to get back into exercising for fitness.

Chrissy: I'm sorry about the ice cream. I haven't had ice cream for about 8 months now so I can't exactly relate. :|  Chocolate soy milk is the bomb! I used to drink it all the timeee. The coffee one is good too. :D Have a good workout!

Debra: Thank you! I'll be sure to do that. Cuisinart? I'll look around for that brand today.. Maybe they sell it universally.. 10 years.. what a machine. Have fun tonight!

Laura: Good on you for treating yourself! It sounds like you'll have such a great time in NYC.

 

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Meal plan for today

B: oatbran+oats cooked w/ water + pumpkin spice + half small banana + natural PB, (This was possibly the best bowl of oats I've ever eaten in my entire life.), soy latte ~ 480

S: soy latte, carrot ~150

L: grilled tofu sandwich w/ avo, tomato, capsicum, mushroom + spinach (this will be possibly the hugest sandwich I've ever eaten in my entire life) ~500

S:  1/2 an orange, rye crackers w/ vegemite  ~105

D:  Eating out for once.. Might get a wrap or salad or soup or something.  ~500-600 cals.

S: fruit w/ almond butter if I'm under. ~200

~ 2000

 

 

 

Eva: the ice cream is kind of a non issue. I mean I could have and should have done without the excess but I'm fine with it. I was within a pretty good calorie range and its no biggie.

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I bought strawberry syrup for strawberry milk and I haven't used it yet but I'm hoping its tasty. I'm finding that I've been a lot more lax about my calories since I cut back, I mean in terms of my mentality about being on target. I think that's a good thing. The lack of stringency is probably due to the fact that I've been eating substantially more during the day so if I have an unplanned ice cream trip (like today..hehe) then I have to accommodate it and that seems to mean I go over the pre-planned amount by a bit. Tonight I'm still going to eat my pasta though and just have a higher cal day if necessary. I'm not incredibly hungry though. The only veggies I've eaten though are carrots. I had the entire bag and that's it for the day. Ill have zucchini when I get home and maybe some celery but I don't have much to choose from and I've got no canned or frozen to fall back on. I was thinking of going to the store but I have some baby carrots- a single serving pack from the elementary school lunch, apples, and celery for tomorrow so ill just go after class tomorrow.

Plan for tomorrow ( yes I'm getting ahead of myself but that's what happens when I walk home )

B: yogurt, oatmeal, bagel ~400

S: cheese crackers ~130

L: 2 veggie burgers, carrots, celery, cabbage and pasta stir fry ~450

S: apple and a protein bar ~275

D: pasta with alfrdo, soy crumbles and grilled zucchini~375

S: ice cream (1.5 servings) ~150

Total: 1780 Wo: 30 minutes jog and walking

Chrissy:  Yeah, the mac & cheese was some from awhile ago that I had frozen... it held up good though and tasted yummy.  My job is great in the variety, creativity, and I can do my own thing for the most part and don't have anyone trying to manage me constantly.  Only thing is that it's uncontrollable on how many clients I get at a given time... like now it's pretty slow, so money is less and then towards the holidays I'll get really busy, make lots of money, and be super stressed out.  We (groomers) always say it's "feast or famine".  In regards to your food/eating, I think it's great that you're being more flexible and allowing room/change for what you want... I think it's a good and healthy sign.  ;)  Besides, I think we all need higher cal days here and there... I've been having a few higher ones lately, but I think my body is liking it for now... if I'm hungrier I'm eating a bit more, and if not, then around my normal amount.

Eva:  Did you end up getting a better food processor today?  No, I don't do the same workout every day... Laura helped me come up w/my weights workouts... I've been doing upper body weight circuits one day, then the next day I do the lower body... the day after that I've been doing cardio (elliptical usually), and then I've been going back to the weight circuits, then cardio, then a day off to rest... then starting all over again.  Your breakfast today sounds fantastic!!  Yum!  Where did you go out for dinner?

My eats:

B-fast: Kashi Golean Truly Vanilla hot cereal w/.5c blueberries; 1/2c Egg Beaters w/TLC cheese; Coffee w/a bit of soy milk ~ 325

S: Homemade pumpkin protein muffin; Baby carrots ~ 174

L: Homemade chili; Steamed yellow squash & zucchini ~ 354

S: Cottage cheese w/pineapple; Coffee; Birdseed Bar; Steamed zucchini/squash ~ 387

D: Panera Bread - 1/2 Napa Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich, Vegetable soup, French baguette ~ 560

S: Fro-yo ~ 190

WO: Lower body weight circuit, 25min elliptical

Post WO S: PB in a high fiber wrap ~ 219

Total: 2208

i think i might have PCOS. I am really afraid. I just read up on it and I feel like I have A LOT of the symptoms. not good. I'm scheduling a check-up ASAP!! 

Chrissy: I'm lucky and only my Tuesdays are like that. I eat breakfast in my room before work, and I have a break between 4-7 where I can grab dinner. We're allowed to eat in the library, as long as it's not messy or disrespectful. So a sandwich or something is fine to bring in there. That's exciting that you're doing your lesson on friday! I'm sure it'll be great. I have a friend with PCOS. I'd go to your doctor asap, but she's fine now. She just needed birth control to help regulate it.

Laura: Thanks for the concern.. I just had a rough night. I think my over exhausted body made it easy for me to think all those negative thoughts, like during rehearsal that I wasn't talented enough or that I was a pound up or that friends didn't think of me and things like that.. I felt a lot better when I woke up this morning and after I went to the gym as well. NYC - that's exciting! I love the city. It's my favorite place. 

Karey: I'm sorry to hear about the rough day, but I'm happy you caught your dog's allergies&infections so you can get the proper medication for her. I hope she gets better super quick.

Eva: Your breakfast sounds delicious.. I'm going to have to try that or some variation of that in the future. I love oatmeal. It's funny.. when I was younger, I used to say I was allergic to it so I would get out of eating it. 

Debra: I did get to recharge my batteries. I woke up randomly at 7am and was about to get up, when I realized I was able to sleep until 9. But then I had really realistic dreams and it was a bit disorienting. Tuesdays drain me and then I recover and then next week it'll be the same type of deal! C'est la vie. I'm going to make my schedule differently for next semester, that's for sure. Yoga can definitely be kick-butt. I love yoga. 

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Today's been a good day.. I went to the gym, did my 7 miles of cardio, 10 minutes abs and 15 minutes free weights. I need to start doing more weight stuff, but I'm not the most gym-savvy. I just need to do more research. I had class and then I've taken it easy this evening. I was doing really well with food.. had a few fun-size milky ways, but I'm not going to let that affect me. I'm allowed my indulgences. Now that I've said that, it must be true. Besides, it's within my range today.

It was nice and brisk out. I was mad that it was cloudy though.. I love looking up at the stars. Pisces is cool, but I haven't been able to see Orion's Belt.

sara: i'm just afraid i'm going to balloon up like crazy. so what happened to your friend? how did she find out? was she having symptoms? i made a doctor's appointment so we shall see what happens. don't even 2nd guess the milky ways...you could have them daily if you wanted. 80/20 is usually the recommended balance of "healthy" to "less-healthy" foods, so i think you're good to go. we will get fined if we eat in our library, they are pretty strict about that sort of thing.

chrissy: why on earth do you think you have pcos??  pcos is characterized by hirsutism and abdominal obesity, both of which reflect the underlying hormonal imbalances with regard to overproduction of androgens and insulin resistance.  i can't even begin to see how this characterizes you!!!

The abnormalities associated with excess androgens have me worried...

Excess androgen. Elevated levels of male hormones (androgens) may result in physical signs, such as excess facial and body hair (hirsutism); adult acne or severe adolescent acne; and male-pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). However, the physical signs of androgen excess vary with ethnicity, so depending on your ethnic background you may or may not show signs of excess androgen. For instance, women of Northern European or Asian descent may not be affected.

 

So the facial and body hair, acne, and thinning of the hair. i never had acne accept when i was in like middle school and first going through puberty so this is particularly troublesome for me. i guess it's the major red flag but i also grow these little "Feeler" hairs on the side of my face...just a couple dark ones. I feel like around the edges of my hairline it is thinning (could be due to sleeping on it though). My periods are still irregular (could be due to my body still adapting from AN). I don't know what is caused by my ED history and what could be due to something else and I would rather be safe than sorry. 

chrissy, i have this urge to give you a big hug right now.  i really, really, really, really, really, really doubt you have pcos.  the symptoms you're experiencing, in all honesty, sound much more like AN-related symptoms than PCOS.  the facial hair in PCOS is much more on the chin and above lip (like a man) and not just soft hairs on the face...that's much more related to AN symptoms.  the thinning hair is also a sign of nutritional imbalances/malnutrition, also a symptom of AN.  how long have you been experiencing these symptoms?  abdominal obesity is probably one of the biggest indicators of PCOS and you so don't have that. 

i DO think you should go to the doctors.  i think that's a great idea for other reasons.  i just don't think you have PCOS.   in all honesty, and i'm really not trying to make a judgment or sound critical, i think it IS likely that you are continuing to experience side effects of AN.  it is my impression based on your pictures and your habits that you have not ever allowed your body to fully recover from being severely malnourished.  your body fat may still be too low to support proper hormonal functioning and your level of activity is a continual stress on your body.  so, i think it would be good to get a check up because some of the things you're experiencing may be a cause for some concern, even if they are not PCOS.  i hope none of this sounds critical or presumptuous.  i'm just being honest. 

Laura: not presumptuous at all, which is why i stated that it could be related. with an exception of the acne and periods, all of these things have been occurring since AN. Once i stopped taking birth control I feel like the acne and periods changed. Acne is my biggest indication and maybe it's partially paranoia. The facial hair isn't lanugo, I do know the symptoms of AN and the effects of this. The thinning hair i'm thinking is either from wearing a head scarf at night and it's rubbing or the androgen related hormonal issues. I'm not too sure though and I think a few tests will make me feel a whole lot better. I haven't been to the doctor in over a year any way so i need to go. I also had some strain of HPV last year and I was supposed to go back to the doctor within 6 months to check on it but never did. HPV is quite common and I was an unlucky girl I guess, not that it ever affected me in any way that i can tell. I've only had 1 sexual partner, so it was nothing relating to promiscuity. I just want to get a full check up to test all things PCOS, AN, and HPV related.

Karey: Yes, yes yes yes I did! I got a wonderful little one by Cuisinart. I'm so happy! Made a fresh batch of proper almond butter for the morning! :D Your workout regime sounds good. Do you ever get bored with the repetition though? I ended up having a veggie wrap with some carrot juice at the shopping centre then an apple when i got home.. then some tahini paste that I bought, which tastes weird + bitter.. I don't think I was under in cals..  I've noticed you have a lot of zucchini and squash.. are they your favourite vegetables? I would really like to try acorn squash.

Chrissy: Veggies are good! Did you know you'll look more tanned if you eat carrots? They give the skin a natural yellowish/orangey glow. Celery will keep your bones strong.  Strawberry syrup for strawberry soymilk? Sounds delish..

Sara: It was delicious :D I've had a fetish for pumpkin spice lately.. haha. Good on you, 7 miles of cardio! Thats great.