tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21250251779598223582024-03-14T08:47:44.168-07:00Smaller By the DayThis blog is dedicated to supporting and encouraging those who are contemplating surgery or who have already had surgery. I want to answer questions and offer support.Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-25956866265380715092009-10-19T13:58:00.001-07:002009-10-21T20:41:30.179-07:00AAAAAGGGGNo I haven't fallen away! I really wanted to do cooking videos! The set up took forever! I was stressed. I really wanted to write everyday. I was stressed....thus.....aaaggg. You see I homeschool our 5 children.....2nd,4th,7th,8th.11th grades....need I say more??? My husband is full time faith based ministry....what exactly does that mean..for us it means that he speaks mainly at 2 places...at schools early in the mornings before school starts for an organization called <a href="http://http//www.fca.org/AboutFCA/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">FCA</span></a> most school districts across the country have them....and also he works as the chaplain for a local Christian athletic group. He tells these kids about his life with drugs.....coccain and steriods before he became a Christian. He loves what he does and he is making an impact on their lives.<br /><br /><br /><br />Neither of these organizations pay him....thus the faith part!So how do we eat....I'm not sure???? If you could see what we have in the bank at any given moment you would be shocked! We have about 15 people who believe in what we are doing and they support us monthly...we are a non-profit......then there are others who send a one time gift and we always have enough....it really is amazing to watch as this all unfolds and we are able to see how the Lord provides to the ministry that He called us to. This to can be stressful. So on top of home schooling and normal house stuff...I do all the "secretary" stuff for the ministry. I have another <a href="http://http//michelehelms1.blogspot.com/">blog</a> that I have been keeping for about a year and I just can't do 2 of them. So you are welcome to check out my other blog. I love to read all of my favorite WLS blogs and keep up with so many of you who are doing so well.<br /><br /><br /><br />I will tell you that my weight is good...not where I want it to be...but good. 155 I would love to weigh 135...but 20 pounds seems like a very long way off. I would have to exercise to reach that goal as my eating is good. I can hardly find the time to go to the bathroom alone during the day...I don't see myself finding time to exercise. Yes, yes I know I need to make time to take care of myself...it is every mothers dilemma!<br /><br />Please come over and join me <a href="http://http//michelehelms1.blogspot.com/">here. Happy at Home</a>Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-87287060012496788002009-03-20T07:38:00.000-07:002009-03-20T07:46:05.230-07:00Doctors visitWell I went to my doctor visit and I was the same weight as I was last time I went...she was very pleased. This was my GYN visit so she doesn't see weight loss patients exclusively but she sees quite a few. She told me that in her practice...I would be in the minority of patients who lost the weight and have not gained a significant amount back at the 3 year mark. Oh that is so sad. I wonder what the key is there...I could speculate but I will not. I am thankful that it has been a success for me but I must say that I have to work really hard for it to be this way. Harder than I imagined before I had the surgery.<br /><br />Now for the bathing suit season...I can hide gross loose skin in the layers of winter but summers comming!!Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-30041082909712590582009-03-06T06:25:00.000-08:002009-03-06T06:31:33.753-08:00GAS!!!????<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://www.rkb.us/contentimages/150990.jpg-sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 257px;" src="https://www.rkb.us/contentimages/150990.jpg-sm.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />OK......Lets be honest.....does anyone else plan when they eat certain foods based on what they have to do the next day? I LOVE Wendy's chili.....or my own homemade but you really do not want to spend much time with me the day after...:) This is a side effect of surgery that I can live with...I just need to plan. My poor family!!! I need to try a product called.....Beano. I have tried eating those gas ex strips but they do not help that little problem. Have you tried anything with success?Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-19893725959727853322009-02-27T22:49:00.000-08:002009-02-27T23:01:09.460-08:00If you only knew??I can not tell you how difficult this has been to get a video up and running!!?? I would pull my hair out but I don't have as much as I did 3 years ago so I will leave it alone!! :) I really, really had grand plans of "making" a decent quality video at least once a week however.....it is a lot of work to set everything up....and get it on the site...more than I had imagined.<br /><br />I school our 5 children and run the daily stuff for our ministry. It is a lot and I love it...wouldn't trade it!....but it is overwhelming time wise...so I decided that I need to make a simpler video off of our lap top. I have made 5 videos and I couldn't get any of them to work. UUGGG<br /><br />I finally did a quick capture on you tube...it is terrible quality...the sound and the lips do not match...I hate that! But is is there none the less...You may have to close your eyes and just listen to the words.<br /><br />How is my goal to lose a few pounds..10 to be exact...pretty good but I made an appointment to see my Gynecologist in 3 weeks...this is very motivating...I do not know why...she doesn't care...she is thrilled that I have lost the weight and for the most part kept it off but I for some reason care...Call me crazy!<br /><br />Anyway here is the link to the video...enjoy or not!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsRgVNobF0E">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsRgVNobF0E</a>Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-57565541622373624962009-02-24T20:44:00.000-08:002009-02-24T20:58:29.441-08:00video faliure???I finally took the time tonight to make another video. I made it on my web cam on the lap top. It is on my desk top but it will not download onto blogger or youtube....:( I am so frustrated!!! I could scream but I will not! I will try to look at it again tomorrow when my brain isn't fried!<br /><br />I will tell you that I made one of the simplest meals ever today and it was wonderful. I love to make a meal that I can use more than once and I don't just mean leftovers. This morning I put 8 boneless chicken breasts and one bottle of barbecue sauce in the crock pot on low. It cooked all day and tonight I made mashed potatoes, green beans and steamed mixed veggies to go along with it. It was so yummy! I cut up the left over chicken and tomorrow we will have barbecue chicken sandwiches. I will serve cut up apples and pretzels with it. Maybe you can invision it since I can't seem to get a video together?????Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-83813020714609576382009-01-25T13:34:00.000-08:002009-01-25T13:42:49.907-08:00Taking a TripHello guys...I am so sorry that I have not written a new post lately. I ahve been out of town speaking for the past week. I am sure that I could not travel for any length of time and do well eating. I would have to make some major adjustments if I traveled. I was bored driving and food seemed like a good thing to munch on while I was away. I did make good choices but it was so much harder thatn when I was in my controlled enviroment at home! I would have to come up with a serious plan! I had a great time...I took my 11 year old daughter with me. I was fun to have her one on one! I am very internional about that time since I have 5 children!<br /><br />I will try to get the video made soon about my favorite dish to make with left over grilled chicken!Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-24736893175746493702009-01-19T21:35:00.000-08:002009-01-19T21:47:01.046-08:00Grilled Chicken<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>....I am a computer...techie.....IDIOT! I do not know why I can't upload videos right onto Blogger...if the are 3 - 4 min. it takes about 2 hours, if they are 4 -5 min they take almost 5 hours...and if they are 1 second over 5 min they will not upload at all! I have tried this on both our computers...old and new???!!!:) I do not know what to do? Anyway here is the link to the new video on you tube. <br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe3-k7cK-hg&feature=channel_page">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe3-k7cK-hg&feature=channel_page</a><br /><br /><br />Here is my basic recipe for the marinade.<br /><br />1 plastic bag<br />6 chicken breast<br />1 cup Italian dressing<br />1/2 cup either soy or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">teriyaki</span> sauce...I prefer <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">teriyaki</span><br />2 tablespoons of any kind of spicy seasoning...I use Montreal Seasoning<br />Soak for 3 hours or as long as all night.<br />Grill<br /><br />YUMMY!Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-24166180260512829512009-01-18T18:35:00.000-08:002009-01-18T18:49:05.563-08:00Embarassing MomentI am a mother to 5 amazing children. I love being a mom! My husband is in full time Christian service. He is really wonderful....I'll tell you more about him later. I speak 1 or 2 times a month to women's groups on a variety of subjects. Well this past week I went to speak at a gathering and I was feeling pretty good about myself. My hair worked, my outfit was fine. Now I am that person that if you drop by my house on any given day you will not find me with any makeup and if I didn't know you were coming..I probably won't have my bra on. I like comfortable! But when I speak to a group I certainly want to look nice. I thought I had achieved that????<br /><br />I had to tape it for a video that our church is getting together and when I got home I watched the video. You should never watch yourself! My hair....flat, my pants way, way, way too short!and I look like I am pregnant! When am I not going to look like that? While I look so much better than I once did...... and I am grateful for that!!!....I still look pregnant. I am going to have to start some sort of fund raising campaign to pay for a tummy tuck....because god knows that is not in the budget for a minister's family. Well not this minister anyway! You can check out a clip of that video on my other blog...<a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.michelehelms1.blogspot.com/">here</a>.Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-54754408112295953412009-01-18T06:17:00.000-08:002009-01-18T06:52:28.408-08:00We all Scream for Icecream!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:AfrKRbAt4DKaoM:http://www.lakedistrictletsgo.co.uk/retail/hartleysicecream/icecream.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 122px;" src="http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:AfrKRbAt4DKaoM:http://www.lakedistrictletsgo.co.uk/retail/hartleysicecream/icecream.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I have a couple of things on my mind......It has been over 3 years since my surgery and I pretty much know what triggers a dumping episode. I avoid these things...I do not like dumping! For me....it may last 10 min. but more often it lasts for about 45 min.....I do not have 45 min to spare in my day therefore I do not tempt fate! SOOOOOO. Friday night is family night here at the Helms. We watch a movie...play board games...order pizza...drink soda...and eat ice cream. I do not feed my kids junk all week....they get enough of that everywhere else...they are not deprived! I have always felt like junk aught to be the exception and not the rule...unfortunately many families are the total opposite. If you give your baby soda in a sippy cup.....STOP!!!<br /><br />Anyway we all enjoy this night very much....kids love traditions and we have been doing this one for about 8 years. I of course skip the soda, icecream and usually eat the topping off of the pizza....which I enjoy very much! This Friday night I made myself a little baby..baby cup of icecream....maybe two tablespoons. Now one of my worst dumping episodes happened about 3 months after surgery with...icecream. Why might you ask am I trying it again???? I DO NOT KNOW!!! I wanted a little??? :) I have skim milk with my cereal, I even eat some soups that have heavy cream.....I use 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar in my tea.......what else is in icecream....maybe the first time was just because it was too soon after surgery??<br /><br />It was HORRIBLE!!! 10 min. after I ate it..I was on the hopper...where I stayed through half of the movie! My kids kept coming upstairs to see if I was OK. Yes we are pretty free here:) It was not worth it...I will not be trying that again! Not a problem because I can assure you that the ability to bend over and tie my shoes is worth so much more to me than icecream!Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-73320146254765347992009-01-09T00:38:00.000-08:002009-01-09T06:53:30.253-08:00Protein ShakeToday I am going to share a few tips on making a pouch and family friendly protein smoothie. These are the backbone for many WLS patients. Let me know what you think. I want to give a huge THANK-YOU to <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://bariatrictv.com/">BariatricTV</a>. You guys are amazing!!<br /><br />My very favorite smoothie is:<br />1/2 cup skim milk<br />1/4 cup frozen strawberries<br />1/4 sliced frozen banana (this is not a cup but 1/4 of the whole)<br />3 semi sweet chocolate morsels<br />2 scoops Shaklee soy protein<br />5 ice cubes<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwIx6PfUYfEd1_izqqPj80G89JBN7mpjliDQB2tz8ouCXwHSF2uOAUBiy-rawiJ2Khs5w3dMpqjQoH4TSMBjg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-57436530654771140812009-01-07T07:16:00.000-08:002009-01-07T21:07:07.051-08:00Plan,Plan,PlanOne of the biggest keys to success with your wright loss is planning. In this video I share a few of my tips for success in the area of meal planning. Check back in a few days because we are going to be making smoothies. Yummy, Yummy high protein smoothies!<br /><br />For some reason this file was too large to download on blogger so you will have to follow the link. You know I am not a professional like the guys at <a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://bariatrictv.com/">Bariatric TV</a>. I love these guys!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btuhh4KYvJY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btuhh4KYvJY</a>Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-73691085088335811732009-01-04T14:05:00.000-08:002009-01-04T15:09:21.745-08:00GoalsWell I am back after the holidays. We had a wonderful Christmas and I did not gain any weight!!! YEAH!!! I am really excited about sharing some wonderful recipes and tips for you! Be sure to email me or blog me if you have any requests or questions.<br /><br />michele@driventoencourage(dot)org is my personal email address.<br /><br />Happy New Year!!<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyDQ0MD_E5xg-m5Yz1dkz3vSiYN9Wo1eeaMnm1i6OMi1EBZ4O77E4zWETWKtdLToWIiAPXwuLN_ssu9ZU1-fg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-61166431477603696542008-12-14T19:59:00.000-08:002008-12-14T21:06:05.640-08:00Taco SaladHello, I believe that having a plan is one of the greatest ways to have weight loss success! Meal plan! Meal Plan! Meal Plan!!! Here is a simple meal idea! Hope that you enjoy.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyRQ0FsBMEEmEkjEbNOCEtbEnDiSyLTSsmvVZQ6e8VTok1fCp68tWGFdgtJszQp044HBlx-RkEB8WgxFt_U1w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-61212880034947105722008-12-08T20:33:00.000-08:002008-12-08T20:44:03.323-08:00Christmas SnacksUUGG...I went to a friends birthday party on Saturday and we were all asked to bring 2 dozen of our best Christmas sweet to share with each other. I brought home a tray of 24 mixed wonderful sweets. This has not been a good thing!! :( They call out to me and most of them are bite size. They have got to go!!! My husband is the only other one who eats them. I have 5 kids who are not big sweet eaters and the main things they like to eat are not on that platter. I refuse to gain weight during the holidays so tomorrow I am going to pack them up and send them with my husband to give away!Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-68505642668801652682008-12-06T15:30:00.000-08:002008-12-06T19:43:59.336-08:00cooking video??????OK so I got this crazy idea to do an on going video about what and how I cook. I need your input! The original video looked really good....it loses a lot on youtube. I think that it is also too long...which is why I can't have it directly on the blog..I need to shorten it or do two parts. Click on the link and let me know what you think!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNq3oCx8lyM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNq3oCx8lyM</a>Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-26145931668609447792008-11-25T21:10:00.000-08:002008-11-25T21:24:22.297-08:00Thankful at Thanksgiving!I am thankful for so many things........since this is a WLS blog.....I am very thankful that I have been given the tool of surgery so that I can have my health! I really do not take that for granted!<br /><br />Other things that I am thankful for:<br /><br />1. My relationship with Jesus<br />2. My amazing family<br />3. Wearing regular clothes<br />4. Not having diabetes<br />5. Not hurting all over when I get up off the floor<br />6. The ability to bend over and tie my shoes and still breathe!<br />7. All of you guys who offer support!Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-20021751562742910472008-11-21T08:44:00.000-08:002008-11-21T09:27:36.560-08:00Getting my protein!As I told you in an earlier post...I had researched protein before my surgery......I found two that I used all the time. When I can afford it I use Shaklee products...I really do think that they are the best. They are completely natural and my blood work confirmed that it was worth using.<a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.shaklee.net/helms/product/CinchShakes">.<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Cinch</span></a> and <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.shaklee.net/helms/product/MealShakes">Meal Shake</a>. I also used their liquid <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.shaklee.net/helms/product/20070">vitamins</a> and <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.shaklee.net/helms/product/20007">children's chewable </a>for the same reasons...they are all natural. You do pay a price for the best...although you can get all you money back if your not satisfied. When I can't afford the Shaklee...I use the <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10322405">Whey Protein</a> from Walmart (you can only buy it at the store but <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10322405">here</a> is the picture.) I always buy the vanilla because I can add chocolate to that or make a fruit smoothie or whatever I am in the mood for!! :) <br /><br />I still use protein almost everyday. I have not had any problems with my blood work or energy level...except when I had a really bad kidney infection and then an allergic reaction to the antibiotic and I started bleeding internally...none of this was related to the surgery, I had kidney infections prior to my WLS. My iron levels were so low that they wanted to give me blood transfusions...I asked for a few weeks to see if I could get those levels up, I am afraid of blood transfusions. I felt awful..... the lack of energy and the horrible headaches!! I was diligent and I divided my liquid vitamins into small portions throughout the day....I increased my chicken, fish and spinach and in 2 weeks I had brought it up significantly...but it took 2 months to get it back to normal. I am thankful that I do not suffer from low iron!Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-11293037655042321882008-11-17T06:42:00.000-08:002008-11-17T06:56:42.851-08:007th weekOn the 7th week I was cleared to eat solids. I remember being excited because I think that the liquid part of this procedure was the hardest thing! I was also really nervous. Would I always remember to chew enough? What was too big of a bite? How much was too much? What would I not be able to eat? drink? I started off really easy and light. I found out pretty quickly that my tastes were different on some things. I do have a theory???? NOT scientific but still my theory.<br /><br />I believe that most of us....but for sure this was true about me......are not used to chewing our food so much. When I initially put something in my mouth it usually tastes fine but as I chew and chew and chew...sometimes, as things begin to break down in my mouth the taste and texture changes so much that I do not like it. I have on more than one occasion had to spit something out. I know when it is in my mouth that it is not going to go down. It is the strangest thing. It is also why I think it is so important to eat slowly...because as I eat...... all of a sudden I will know that I am done. Again many times I will have to spit out that last bite. After 3 years...that is getting better because I have learned how much I can eat of different foods.Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-23230740358167021762008-11-14T17:42:00.000-08:002008-11-14T19:23:30.880-08:00The first 6 weeksI spent a great deal of time before surgery preparing mentally and physically. I also did a lot of research about all the things I could and could not eat. I was very prepared when I came home from the hospital. I have a homemade soup recipe that I make for my family and I made it ahead of time special for me. I also bought anything that I thought I might want from sugar free jello to baby food. I had already researched protein and tasted them ahead of time...although I found that my tastes did change...weird! The protein that I decided on was made by<a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://www.shaklee.net/helms"> Shaklee.</a><br />It is completely natural. Every article that I read...not by the company of course.....pointed toward the fact that their product broke down quicker in the system and was easily used. I chose their French Vanilla <a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://www.shaklee.net/helms/product/MealShakes">Meal Shake</a>. I also used their <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://www.shaklee.net/helms/product/20070"> liquid</a> vitamins with iron. It is all natural and it is liquid. It seemed so much better than chewing up a synthetic "Flintstone" children's!! I had to get used to the taste....lots of holding my nose at first...but my first blood work proved to be worth it because all my levels were perfect!<br /><br />The only thing I put in my body for 2 weeks was total liquid....if it wouldn't come through a narrow straw...it didn't go onto my body. I sipped on protein all day...and when I wasn't sipping protein I was sipping water!<br /><br />On the third week, I added my soup that I had made ahead of time and things that were the consistency of pudding. Along with my protein I had lots of watery mashed potatoes and baby food.<br /><br />On the 5th week I added in things like refried beans and soft potatoes....(white and sweet), oatmeal and scrambled eggs. I could only eat a few tiny bites of the eggs.....they were one of the things that changed flavors for me???<br /><br />Below is my recipe for homemade chicken soup.<br /><br /><br />Homemade chicken stock...the store bought stuff is loaded with salt and fat...of course you can get the fat free but you still get the salt.<br /><br />Whole chicken covered in filtered water (we do not eat dark meat so after it boils I pull the white meat and give the rest to my neighbor)<br />4 stalks of celery<br />2 carrots<br /><br />Bring just to a boil...reduce heat...cover....simmer for 2 hours...make sure there is enough water so the chicken is covered.<br /><br />Remove all veggies and chicken....let it cool some and put it in the fridge. The next day...spoon all fat off of the top. This should be enough stock for several pots of soup...remember you only use about 2 cups of the stock per pot. You can divide the unused portion and freeze it.<br /><br />My normal chicken soup recipe<br /><br />2 cups chicken stock<br />3 large potatoes...diced<br />3 carrots sliced<br />4 boiled chicken breasts diced<br />2 cups prepared egg noodles<br /><br />combine stock, water, carrots, potatoes...boil until tender....add desired spices....garlic salt, pepper, celery salt<br /><br />Add chicken and noodles until it boils again.....yummy you are done!!!<br /><br />Well ,I made this and put extra water....then I pureed it...I mean totally pulverized it! It was very liquid!! I then froze it in 1/4 cup servings.<br /><br />Enjoy!Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-61690707712752332182008-11-13T20:46:00.000-08:002008-11-13T21:04:57.505-08:00The morning afterI felt pretty good after my surgery. I got up out of bed within the first hour...that was tough. I really wanted to sleep but I was determined to do anything I could to make this a success all the way around. My sweet husband walked the halls over and over again in those 2 days. I was given all the normal instructions and home I went. The worst thing that happened to me in the hospital was the unbelievable headache I had from no caffeine! In hind sight I should have quit that little habit before the surgery so I wouldn't have had to deal with that in the hospital.<br /><br />I did everything the doctor said over the next 6 weeks...I know that some doctors are a little different but mine was serous about letting the internal incisions heal. My stomach and intestines needed a break....I knew I didn't want any leaks so doing my part was really important to me. I am amazed when I hear about people who are eating regular food 1 week after surgery because they are hungry...I'm thinking...why in the world did you have this surgery...this is only the beginning of a lifetime of discipline!Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-86719700375473574362008-11-12T21:09:00.000-08:002008-11-12T21:31:15.848-08:00Getting Ready for SurgerySo after much prayer I decided to move forward with the surgery. I must tell you that my amazing husband was not at all excited about me having the surgery. In fact he was adamantly opposed. He was so afraid that something would go wrong. It took alot of discussion for him to finally agree. I had to go through a battery of tests before surgery. I don't think I have ever been so poked and prodded in my life. My doctor wrote a great letter to the insurance and I was approved on the first attempt.<br /><br />My surgery was scheduled for December 27, 2005. People would ask me if I was bummed that this would be the last Christmas to eat all that I wanted. I remember thinking that this would be the last Christmas that I would be absent from all the pictures! I couldn't wait. I always felt like a skinny person trapped in a fat body. I went into the surgery VERY excited! Nervous..of course! Would I actually lose the weight? What if I do all this and I am still fat? Now that would stink! What would I be able to eat? How much would I be able to eat? Could I live on a liquid diet for 6 weeks??? None of those questions could outweigh the excitement of finally getting my weight under control!<br /><br />I just celebrated my 19th wedding anniversary yesterday. Here is my sweetie! He is an awesome godly man!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbVIDeYRJeL0tysD4V3Kq_vo-51L9vERQTZDxS-zMUydMXwTqU9N1RKTsv3gnmZGp1ev2IxhJH6c7Tk64nA_84dqg4zgjefKpS4pQ14XW8PKQCoG7cb57lyPolIPn-1oAWLUu05cNHBw/s1600-h/3+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbVIDeYRJeL0tysD4V3Kq_vo-51L9vERQTZDxS-zMUydMXwTqU9N1RKTsv3gnmZGp1ev2IxhJH6c7Tk64nA_84dqg4zgjefKpS4pQ14XW8PKQCoG7cb57lyPolIPn-1oAWLUu05cNHBw/s320/3+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268009704506793554" border="0" /></a>Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-41800599531702480972008-11-09T16:37:00.000-08:002008-11-09T16:37:35.213-08:00<img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" />Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125025177959822358.post-39315517011844298712008-11-09T16:35:00.000-08:002008-11-09T20:07:08.535-08:00My Story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid46MSeye-mrSMQdUNXISQUyQFURAxeW4kGCb5vGBtMpR6yPEaOHiZH7wP6-fbB-G5WfusUDGWa57KccTMeHXgr8j1ft30tay2jKEiQVSVvY3FhspRcdzzBGuJ8kCPFzb_eRv0ReQr6-k/s1600-h/Alice+Michelle+Helms+pre+F.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid46MSeye-mrSMQdUNXISQUyQFURAxeW4kGCb5vGBtMpR6yPEaOHiZH7wP6-fbB-G5WfusUDGWa57KccTMeHXgr8j1ft30tay2jKEiQVSVvY3FhspRcdzzBGuJ8kCPFzb_eRv0ReQr6-k/s320/Alice+Michelle+Helms+pre+F.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266825185883202194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yep...that is me! I do not have many pictures of myself. The heavier I became the less I wanted to be photographed. This picture was taken 7 days before my gastric bypass surgery....3 years ago. The only thing that I regret is that I didn't do it sooner!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">My story begins at puberty. I was a long legged skinny kid until about 12 and then I was just a little plump..not really heavy just 10 - 15 pounds overweight. When I was in high school I started running cross country but I never lost that belly weight. It was nuts..I was running 40 plus miles a week and I was plump. It was always interesting because I was a pretty good runner and when we would go to the meets...most of the girls were very lean and then there was me. After high school I started teaching aerobics. I taught 10 classes a week, each was 1 hour long and I had learned how to eat a healthy diet....still 10 - 15 pounds all on my belly. I was really fit but it didn't really matter what I did I could not loose that extra weight. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was married when I was 23 and I continued to teach aerobic classes. 6 months after marriage I was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer. I had to have the bottom 3rd of my cervices removed. I had some complications from the surgery and I was not allowed to exercise for 6 weeks. Although I continued to eat a good healthy diet I began to gain weight....it was horrible....daily I was watching the scale go up..up..up. You would have thought I was on a 24 hour eating binge for 6 weeks...I gained 37 pounds!!! Seriously!!! As soon as I started working out my weight gain stopped but I could not lose any of the weight I had gained. I continued to work out hard and when I was 26 I became pregnant with our first child. I only gained 27 pounds. After she was born, I started walking immediately and I lost all my baby weight by my 6 weeks check-up. I remember being so excited...maybe I would now be able to get the rest off. NOT!!! It was just the opposite...I started gaining.....5...10...15...20 pounds! To make a really long story shorter..I have 5 children and the same thing happened every time! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was never a yo-yo dieter. I did try some different plans that I thought were healthy and I might lose a few pounds but I never lost any significant weight. I found myself 39 years old, joint problems, high cholesterol, diabetes and 230 pounds. I am 5'5" so this was 100 pounds more than I needed to weigh. I was at a point in my life that I needed to make some drastic choices about my health. I felt hopeless. I really felt like surgery was the wimpy way out. It was the choice others made who had no self control. Honestly that is what I thought. Remember I taught aerobics for 8 years and ran for 4.....I was not lazy and out of control and it seemed that to have surgery would be like saying that I was lazy and out of control.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of the ladies at my church who had bypass surgery sat and talked with me one Wednesday night. This is a conversation that I will never forget. It was really the beginning of health for me!</span><br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" />Michele Helmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08254224845703118191noreply@blogger.com1