Amy: Week Ten - Ick

The scale was surprisingly hateful today - I'm up almost a pound. I'm a little confused and I'm praying this is simply Mother Nature related.

Could my Jazzercising be turning me into a woman of steel so soon? Ha, I don't think so. But it's frustrating because I feel lighter. I know my clothes are looser, so where the hell is this 0.8 hiding? Dirty bastard.

If I posted something now it would be very negative and no one needs that, so I'll sign off for now and try to figure out why the wheels fell off the bus this week.

One good note though. Remember my posts about Lose for Good with Weight Watchers? It looks like over FOUR MILLION POUNDS were lost worldwide during the effort and ONE MILLION DOLLARS will be sent to battle hunger in the US and worldwide.

Til next week...

Shannan: Making Good Strides

This last week and a half I've really hit my stride. The weight has started coming off again and I've now lost a total of 15 lbs!!!!! With just 10 more pounds to go, I really am hoping to buckle down and am going to try and be serious. These past few weeks were filled with booby traps and pit falls - camping out, trips to Nashville and the infamous Pancake Pantry (who could resist!!), wedding receptions tempting me with tasty hor's doevres and cake, how could I be expected to resist such temptations?

Well the last wedding is in sight - this weekend - and them I'm out of excuses. It will be time to buckle down and bust off those last 10 pounds. I'm a little nervous about making it happen as we put our gym membership on hold for the month of November and it's getting colder outside. I might have to look into working out at work, which I'm not a big fan of, but I might have to suck it up and do it anyway.

I leave you with a YouTube video from Saturday Night Live featuring two of the country's top trainers:





Thank you all for your support. This blog has definitely been a great motivator for me.

Starting weight: 160
Current weight: 145
Total lost: 15 lbs

Kate: Weighing In On Health Care

I'm not going to lie ~ this post isn't really about weight loss.

I mean, it is in a big-picture-being-overweight-is-bad-for-your-health kind of way.

But I've decided to warn y'all up front so you can pass up reading the rest of my rant - because this blog is a phenomenal way for me to talk about how your vote on Election Day is also a vote for your health. And I should also say this post does not represent the beliefs of every Loser posting on this blog. These beliefs are my own, so if you want to berate someone, feel free to head on over to my own site.

But before I get on my soapbox, I think I should underscore a few points we can likely all agree on.

1) Fat does not do a body good.
Scientists in Sweden just released the results of a study that shows obesity can bring on arthritis for folks who are middle-aged and older. The research is interesting, but it doesn't take an expert for me to realize all the extra pounds of flesh on my hips, legs, tummy, chest, etc. are all taking a toll on the bones, muscles and cartilage holding up my 5' 8" frame.

Obesity is also related to some cancers and diabetes (and a possible first fall in life expectancy in 200 years).

There's no two ways about it - being fat is really bad. Really, really bad - at least where your health is concerned.

2. Healthy food is expensive.
When was the last time you bought organic? Noticed the difference in the price for a bunch of organic bananas vs. the conventional (read: Chiquita) kind? What about the price of a healthy salad at McDonald's compared to the least expensive Value Meal? Go to the neighborhood grocery store and spend ten bucks on produce and ten bucks on processed food - I'll bet you dollar to doughnuts that you'll walk with more food if you stock up on Spaghetti-Os, Lean Cuisines and frozen chicken fingers than apples, broccoli and spinach.

Good, healthy food is expensive, and unfortunately we are passing on this difficult paradigm to our nation's schools.

Think about it. When your child wakes up in the morning, you ensure she brushes her teeth and washes her face. You make sure she buckles her seat belt as you drive her to school, and then you kiss her goodbye. Each morning, you take every precaution to ensure your little girl is safe and healthy ~ and when she spends your money on lunch in the school cafeteria, she's forced to buy processed pizza slices and french fries. Her cafeteria tray comes in contact with nary a vegetable or fruit - and it's all because the schools don't have the cash to provide each child with a healthy meal.

The path to obesity starts young - and it's a path that is especially hard to avoid if you're impoverished.

3) Hell... being fat is expensive - for everyone.
The astronomically rising number of people reaching obesity is a societal first. Never before have there been so many overweight people on earth. I suppose it's a perfect storm of fatty foods and the prevalence of convenience these days - the convenience of driving thru to get your food instead of walking and hunting for it. The convenience of easily eating three (fatty) meals a day instead of two smaller meals and one more substantial one. The convenience of having so many different kinds of foods at our fingertips. Whatever the case may be, there are more obese people walking the earth than ever before, and it's taking its toll on our privatized health care system. The nation's insurance companies are shelling out billions to cover claims for obesity-related ailments.

Seventy five percent of our nation's health care costs are tied to patients who have one or more chronic conditions - chronic conditions that are likely associated with being overweight.

Your office will likely have to raise its health insurance premiums someday, and it's because that lady in accounting is carrying an extra hundred pounds.

Okay, maybe not literally, but I think you get my point.

So there we have it. My trio of arguments that help explain why solving the U.S. obesity crisis is essential to our way of life - and our longevity of life.

And now for the soapbox portion of this interlude.

Both presidential candidates have a health care plan they want you to know about.

Senator Obama wants to offer expanded access to Medicaid and mandatory health care coverage for children. He wants to require employers that don't offer health insurance coverage to contribute a portion of payroll to a national plan (exempting small businesses - and offering them refundable tax credits on 50% of premiums). Obama's plan would cut premium payments for families by about $185.

A non-party think tank determined Obama's plan would reduce the number of uninsured by 26.6 million in 2010 - from the current 48.9 million.

Senator McCain wants to replace the current income-tax exemption for health insurance premiums paid by employers with a refundable tax credit of $5,000 per family (and $2,500 for individuals). McCain also wants to let people buy insurance across state lines. McCain's plan would increase premiums for families by about $379.

The non-party think tank says McCain's plan would reduce the number of insured by 21.1 million by 2010.

I don't think I have to underscore the big points for you, but I will:
Obama will give Medicaid to more of the nation's needy.
Obama will ensure every child has health care.
Obama's plan will cut your premiums.
Obama's plan will boost health coverage for 26.6 million (5.5 million more than McCain's plan).

Some of you might read this and think it's all rubbish.

But I prescribe to a dogma that includes good health care for everyone - at a price we can all afford.

See you at the polls November 4th - I'll be the one casting her ballot for Obama.

Laura: I'm baaaaaaack!

So, guess what guys? I'm married. I'm married and I only have one mortgage. Last time I posted I had reached the pinnacle of lifetime stress with a home sale in jeopardy because of title issues and because I was just a week away from my wedding. In the end, I didn't lose 10 pounds. I think on the big day I was only down 2 pounds, but I found a really great fat sucker in thing at Victoria's Secret that made it look like I lost 5 more pounds, so life was good.

After the wedding, I fell off the dieting wagon. Wait -- who am I kidding? I jumped off the wagon, did a couple cartwheels and then mooned the wagon. I ate like a king who loves cheese, meat, and ice cream for a couple weeks solid until I decided it was time to regroup.

For the last week I've been trying to reform. I started with an attempt to start cooking healthier foods instead of the comfort foods I was raised with and can cook with my eyes closed. I tried a few recipes from my most recent Fitness Magazine, which surprisingly has a lot of great food ideas. Here are two recipes I thought were particularly good.

Whole Wheat Linguine with Green Olives (serves 2)

• Whole wheat pasta
• 1/2 cup halved red or yellow grape tomatoes
• 3 tbs sliced green olives
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
• Grated Romano cheese

Prepare pasta according to package directions. Saute tomatoes, olives and garlic in olive oil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add white wine; let simmer 3 minutes. Stir in rosemary; toss with cooked pasta. Top with grate Romano cheese.

Sauteed Baja Fish

• 2 6-ounce white fish fillets, such as tilapia, halibut or flounder
• 1 1/2 tbs olive oil
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Snipped fresh cilantro

Lightly rub fillets with 1 tbs olive oil and season with chili powder. Rub remaining 1/2 tbs oil in a heavy skillet. Heat skillet over high heat. Saute fillets for 3 minutes per side, or until fish just flakes easily with a fork. Serve with lime wedges and snipped cilantro.

Now that I'm starting to get a hang of this light cooking thing, I need to work on getting to the gym. Now that it's getting colder and I can't go out on my bike, motivating to workout will be very difficult. But, where there's a will there's a way. Let's just hope I can find the will.

Still got 6 pounds to go.

Amy: Week Nine - Jazz Hands!

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the owner of the local Jazzercise studio. There was a new program kicking off and they were enrolling twenty-five fresh faces to take part. The program incorporates Jazzercise classes with nutritional guidance and mentoring and it lasts twelve weeks.

I lucked out and got selected. Thanks Wendy! Fortunately there was no dance audition tape required, so my lack of coordination and basic rhythm did not disqualify me. It may end up injuring one of my classmates, but that is a post for another day.

I went to my first class on Thursday and loved it. The hour workout combines cardio, strength training, toning and stretching, so you get the whole package in one workout. The program requires that I do this workout at least three times a week for the first four weeks.

The class itself was pretty low-key. Everyone was dressed in comfy clothes, no shiny lycra or Flashdance outfits in sight - thank goodness! They were women just like me in all shapes and sizes and incredibly welcoming. My instructor Tina was supportive and thankfully didn’t draw attention to me while I was finding my feet (and then tripping over them from time to time). It’s not like a bootcamp where they call you out and egg you on, it’s a fun and comfortable environment.

Music is the key to this workout. It keeps you moving and it makes the time fly by. I’ll admit at about song three I was gasping for air and wondering if I was crazy, but by song five I found my groove. When I couldn’t get the moves right away, I just marched or slowed things down a bit - the key was I kept moving the whole time.

Once the aerobic part wrapped up, we did a most wonderful stretch routine. It seems silly but it was like having that delicious, relaxing glass of wine after a hard day.

I know it’s early, but I really think I may be on to something with this. I went out of town this weekend and hoped to make it back on Sunday for the last class of the day. Time flies when you’re having such a great time with Shannan, Susan and Jennifer, so I didn’t make it. I realized that I was disappointed to have missed the class - ME disappointed to miss out on a chance to exercise? Huh, what?

It’s reminded me of what the experts have told us for years: you have to enjoy the exercise you’re doing or you won’t do it. So keep that in mind. You may not be into running or aerobics, maybe it’s swimming or tennis? You have to find what works for you to make it stick.

Great news - I'm down 2.8 today for a total loss of 32.4 lbs. 42.6 to go! Til next week...

Amy: Week Eight - Getting Inspired

One of the many things I love about Weight Watchers is that you don't have to look very far to be inspired by someone who has been there, done that. There is a woman in my weekly meeting that has lost 93 pounds. WOW. My leader has lost 40 pounds. WOW. The woman I sit next to has lost 65 pounds. WOW. WOW. WOW.

In those meetings, I'm at my best. I'm hearing what I need to hear, feeding off other's resolve and stroking my own ego a bit as I share my success to date.

The problem is maintaining the inspiration and motivation - the mojo - in the six days ahead.

Staying focused and on track, finding my mojo, is as important as my walks and counting points. And it's clear that Mo's been on vacation this week. It's not easy to always possess that "go get 'em"-ness is it? And it's not just about saying no to seconds or getting out of bed early to exercise. It's keeping your eye on the prize - the end result that you're hoping for so you're always reminded of the reason for all sacrifice.

This week was seven days of weakened willpower and low-energy strung together - a complete mojo-free environment. Ugh. Usually, I can take one or two days like that, but this week just steam-rolled me. As you might recall, I spent the October 3rd weekend in DC. Amazing how you can be out of the office for just two days, but somehow that converts to two weeks of being behind. I was rushed and stressed, missing my usual lunch time most days, not to mention time for my walks. This frenzy continued into the evening and I got out of the habit of planning our dinner the night before, so the 6 o’clock shuffle led to many bad choices.

I didn’t journal. I wasn’t diligent about drinking water. Exercise was weak to say the least. Heck, I didn’t even take my multi-vitamin most days. You know you’re off course when you can’t manage to SWALLOW A VITAMIN!

We have to expect these weeks and know the willpower will be tested the most at these moments. All I can really do is learn from it and move on. Hope for the best on the scale today, but prepare for the reality!

I'm up 0.4 today. And I'm disappointed, but not surprised. But that is the past and as I gobble up the delicious salad before me, I'm savoring something even more delicious: it's a brand new week.

I've made a pact with myself to seek out a new source of inspiration each week, a mojo-nator of my very own.

To that end, I had planned to write today’s post based on this search and last night's outing. EQ at The Party Source hosted Pam Anderson (no, not THAT Pam Anderson) for a lecture/cooking demonstration. The was a great night, the food was fabulous (and healthy to boot!) and I was lucky enough to share it with Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit.

I want to do the post justice and share some recipes and photos, so I’m going to work on it in the week ahead and post it next Tuesday. Believe me it will be worth the wait and you might have a chance at a pretty terrific giveaway.

As this new week begins for me, one thing I definitely need to get back to is PLANNING AHEAD. As cheesy as it is if you FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL. With that in mind, here’s a Weight Watchers recipe I tried last year that brings great tastes of autumn together in a spicy stew. I love soups and stews at this time of year. This one is even better because you can use your slow-cooker which is another thing I love love love. Enjoy.

Moroccan Slow Cooker Stew

Ingredients

* 1 spray(s) cooking spray
* 1 small onion(s), chopped
* 1 medium garlic clove(s), minced
* 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded & cut into 1/2-inch cubes
* 1 cup(s) carrot(s), baby
* 1 cup(s) canned crushed tomatoes
* 1/2 cup(s) vegetable broth
* 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp ground cumin
* 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
* 15 oz canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
* 1/2 tsp table salt

Coat a small skillet with cooking spray. Add onion and garlic; sauté for 5 minutes.

Place squash in a 3-quart or larger slow cooker (crockpot). Add sauteed onion and garlic, carrots, tomatoes, broth, cinnamon, cumin and red pepper flakes. Cover and turn on to low heat; simmer for 6 hours.

Add chickpeas and salt. Stir, cover and heat for an additional 5 minutes.

Yields about 1 1/3 cups per serving. Makes approximately six servings.

Helpful hints:

Partially cooking a hard-shell squash makes it easier to peel. Pierce the gourd in several places with a fork, microwave on HIGH for 6 to 10 minutes, depending on size, and then peel.

Though delicious on its own, this cumin-scented stew can also please heartier appetites when spooned over whole wheat couscous and sprinkled with minced cilantro.

Top with plain, fat-free Greek yogurt to help cut the spice

Doug and I like this with warmed pitas too. Having grown up in households where bread as a staple of every meal, it’s weird to sit down to a stew without a lump 'o carbs. Pitas are a great alternative to the super-heavy breads we all love and you can find delicious low-fat alternatives easily.

Til next week...Happy Stewing!

Weightloss Flatlining (A Little Humor to Lighten Things Up)

So another week with no weightloss. I'm not too upset. Rather than ramble on I thought I'd share this workout video featuring Jim Carey. Just a reminder that we shouldn't take this all too seriously.
Enjoy!

Kate: The Prodigal Loser

I am 99.653 percent sure almost everyone has had a diet like this before.

You know ~ the diet where you're actually not cutting calories, excercising or giving the slightest effort to make the number on the scale a little bit smaller?

Yeah, that's me.

I can't put my finger on the exact reason, but let's say that my wayward commitment (was it ever there to begin with?) is a perfect storm of emotional heartache, personal insecurity, social excess, utter surrender and motivational complacency.

The emotional heartache comes from deep inside my heart, where I am still nursing the wounds that come with a loved one's loss. You can read more about it on my other blog.

The personal insecurity is not a new phenomenon in my emotional makeup. I've long struggled with my shortcomings in the way of dating, beauty and a myriad other topics. I've come to terms with some of those weaknesses, but I am still seriously doubting my personal commodities in the meet meat market of life. I sense those insecurities are getting in the way of any sense of entitlement I may have towards a thinner, healthier me.

The social excess. Ahh, the social excess. I became the life of the party the minute I packed up all my belongings and moved into the University of Kentucky's Blanding Tower in 1995. For many years I'd been relegated to the dork table in the high school cafeteria, so in college I completely let my alter ego (and perhaps my id) takeover my persona. Kate the Party Girl had some missteps along the way (which, by the way, I am very grateful for) but has toned things down quite a bit in her 30s.

That doesn't mean I don't know my way around a bottle opener - be it wine or beer.

Get a few glasses in me, and I am still life of the party. The trouble is - the party usually always includes some damn good food, too.

Which brings me to utter surrender - that's the best explanation I can use to describe what I feel when I see good food. Fat, greasy, rich, fried whatever. Brie cheese is my kryptonite. I don't know if it's a predisposition embedded in my genetic code (watching my parents in action, I suspect it is), but I am pretty powerless when it comes to that triple-cream-goodness-on-a-plate. Same goes for anything potato based (knowing my Irish and German heritage, I KNOW this is a genetic predisposition) and most chocolate flavored items.

I don't really know why I am experiencing the motivational complacency. I believe I'm entitled to the same happiness and health as everybody else,but I think my recent funk has undermined my drive to make it happen. Despite what my mother says, I know losing weight does not a husband bring, and perhaps its the premature anticipation of disappointment that's stalling any success.

But today is a new day.

The weather is gorgeous, and whatever emotional demons I'm dealing with today - I need to remind myself they can be shhhhed away just as easily with a walk as with a doughnut.

Time to tie on the tennis shoes.

Amy: Week Seven - And not a salad in site.

photo from stock xchng

I left more than my points counter and ipod at home this weekend. My willpower was nowhere to be found either. I spent four days in Washington, DC - known for it's mouth-watering dishes just as much as it's monuments.

To my credit, I did walk a fair amount. But as much as I walked, I don’t think it will make up for the fact that the words “no thank you” never crossed my lips. Tapas (sure, they are little, but not after you eat twice your share); fish stuffed with Boursin cheese (eliminating all the good fish qualities); tortellini in a pesto cream sauce (yeah, I’m certain that was low fat); breakfast panini stuffed with eggs, smoked bacon and cheese (oh, my). To spare what little dignity I have left, I’ll not even mention the alcohol consumption. I will say that if you run across a Ginger Vodka Cooler, you should prepare to be wowed.

And so it goes.

Therefore, this shall be a week of rebuilding. Much like the Bengals’ entire season or decade depending on who you talk to.

I head to my meeting for weigh-in shortly. You know what’s amazing and wonderful about this blog is that if this past weekend had happened two months ago, Weight Watchers wouldn’t have seen me for weeks. But I know I need to get on that scale, face the ugly truth and get back to work. That is exactly what I’m going to do. Thanks for keeping me honest...be back soon.

Remember when I wrote last week about how you can do everything right and still not lose and yet there are weeks when you know you’ve cheated and you still see results? SHA-ZAM this is one of those weeks. I guess the walking evened out the gluttony and I’ll gladly take it. I’m down 1.2 and I hit 30 pounds! 30.4 to be exact! Maybe it’s a fluke? Maybe my fat cells are using reverse psychology? I don’t know, but I’m down and I have all week to work my butt off to make sure I stay down!

And I meant what I said, I wouldn’t have even gone to the meeting if I wasn’t accountable here, so I really do owe it all to you!

The meeting topic this week was SOUP, which on the surface after a weekend of tortellini and panini and a host of other inis doesn’t sound so exciting. But give it a try. Have some low-fat, low-cal soup on hand as we head into this fall season. With a tasty, crusty bread and a nice glass of wine, it’s the perfect autumn meal.

photo from stock xchng

Another tip to try, if you’re heading out for a night on the town and your favorite restaurant, fill your tummy a bit with a cup of soup. It’ll make saying no to those complimentary rolls or fatty appetizer that much easier because you won’t be so hungry when you sit down to eat. Here's a little trivia for you too: last week when the Dow was plummeting, the only major stock that rose was Campbell's, so there must be something to this soup business, eh?

Here’s a simple, yet filling soup to get you through those times when your stomach growls. This famous Weight Watchers recipe is known to everyone as an easy, zero point alternative when you need more food but don’t want to spend the points or calories. It's quite tasty to boot!

2/3 cup sliced carrots

½ cup diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups fat-free broth (chicken, beef or vegetable)
1 ½ cups diced green cabbage
½ cup green beans
1 tbsp tomato paste
½ tsp dried basil
¼ tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp salt
½ cup diced zucchini

Spray a large saucepan with nonstick cooking spray, heat. Saute the carrot, onion, and garlic over low heat until softened, about five minutes. Add broth, cabbage, beans, paste, basil, oregano, and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer, covered, about fifteen minutes or until beans are tender. Stir in the zucchini and heat for 3-4 minutes. Serve hot.

Makes four 1-cup servings

Get creative - use any of your favorite veggies - the more the merrier! Or spice it up with your favorite seasonings and fresh herbs. You can easily make this soup your own.

Until next week...

Confession Time - Shannan

I have a confession. I have been hiding behind guest posts because I've not been happy with my results, or should I say, lack off results.

I think I got to confident. The first few weeks I was watching every morsel I ate, writing it down, being good and the weight was falling off. I was walking at lunch - eating right and I'd lost 10 pounds in 5 weeks. I was feeling good.

As the weight started falling off I think I became complacent. I started allowing myself a bite or two of the things I shouldn't be eating, I used "special occasions" and "events" as excuses to break free from my diet plan. I found myself too busy to talk a walk at lunch. Worst of all - I have yet to really use my Weight Watchers membership.

I have decided that today is the day I get back in the game.

I am 15 pounds away from my goal weight. I don't want to fail this time. I want to loose the weight. I want to weigh what I did before I had children. I want to be that girl again.

This weekend I had a conversation with a friend that really put me back on track. I won't name names because I know she didn't mean it the way it sounded, but here it is in a nut shell:
Friend: Picking up photo off kitchen counter "Wow. When was this picture taken?"

Me: "Back in 1999. I was in Ft. Lauderdale for Spring Break. We were getting
ready to go out to the bars"
Friend: "Wow. Look how thin you were.
I can't believe it."
Me: "I know. It's been 10 years...."
Friend: "I mean,
look at your arms. You were thin."

Truth is, while I know she didn't mean it the way I heard it, it hurt my feelings. Had I changed that much? Other than aging (gracefully) do I look that different?? I don't have the photo electronically but I will try and get it scanned.

So, this week my goal is to get back into my eating routine, use my Weight Watchers membership and start walking at lunch again.

Current Weight: 150

Goal Weight: 135
Total Lost: 10 lbs

Michelle: Trying Something New

I'm a picky eater. I don't like veggies, really, except the starchy ones and I eat a limited amount of meat (usually not cute animals). I live on carbs really. So I'm really hesitant to try new things.*

I've been trying to get better and on this weight loss journey, in particular, I'm trying to keep an open mind. I've got 6 other girls counting on me after all, and all of you readers. It's time to make changes and that includes being a little daring, for me, on food.

This is a slow and steady process. I'm trying to start opening my mind to fish, although right now it seems to be fish in restaurants and not fish my husband wants to cook at home. He's a great cook, but eating something at home is a whole other level of commitment. A few weeks ago I tried cordoba, a white fish, at a wine dinner we attended at Oceanaire. Much to my surprise, I liked it! I seem to prefer the white fish to the red. However, we might be headed to Alaska next summer, so in that case, I need to learn to eat salmon.

Kevin bought these turkey burgers and he has been itching to try them. I suspect they're a little like the JTM of turkey burgers - premade patties that you pop onto the grill. I'm a little nervous, but I think that's what we're having for dinner tonite. We also picked up Morningstar Farms - vegetarian - mini corn dogs. Apparently I used to like these and now suddenly have a mental block, so those are on the agenda too.

The big one, for me, is the Silk. I was inspired by Amy's post last week so I went out and purchased some Silk light. I already can't stand the taste of milk, so I purchased the vanilla flavored. Do you know it tastes like melted vanilla ice cream? And it's just sweet enough that I no longer need to dump a few packets of equal on my corn flakes to satisfy my sweet tooth. Who knew? Thanks Amy, for that needed push into Silk.

I grew up in a family where we ate at a rapid pace (I still have to work on that one) and we lived on hamburgers, pizza, and spaghetti. That's it. So trying new food is a big deal for me. These are all little steps, I know, but they all count towards getting healthy.

Weight Loss: Holding steady at -6 and trying not to be frustrated by this.



*How am I a wine blogger you ask? I blog about the wine. It helps to have a great friend who tells me all about the food.