Pumpkins and packing.......

Pumpkin.....it's the taste of October!  
Packing.....that's how I am kicking off October! 

A visit to the pumpkin patch! It's always been a Fall family  ritual.  We do it for the kids!  Don't we?

This past weekend, our nest was full.
Our sorority girl came home to share in the Fall festivities in Judiland.
It was our son the doctor's last weekend as being a Pittsburgher (in location only....he will always be a Pittsburgher in his heart and mind!)
So, we did it up in grand fashion----lots of cooking, lots of shopping, lots of comings and goings, lots of partying and lots of lots of fun! 
So much so that I'm still recovering.
But, my hours of recovery are coming to a screeching halt......because it's packing time.
Before I head off to immerse myself in boxes and newspaper wrappings and all the things that go along with packing up an entire 27 years of life, I wanted to share something with you.....

I know that I tell you more times than you probably want to hear that I just love my Lapband and that it has given me more than I could have ever imagined. But, I'm going to do it again.  
YES, I AM TALKING TO YOU.......
I know that there are times when a weight loss journey can feel overwhelming and at times, thoughts of giving up and  the feelings of frustration over take us.  It may not feel like the losses are happening as quickly as we had hoped.  Sometimes, it may feel at if it's not even happening at all.  The scale is stalled, we find that we can't control some of our bad habits or we are faced with so many food challenges and we can't figure out how to deal with them.  Other times, we ask ourselves if this is really a lifelong solution to an issue that we have battled so many times before.  We are plagued with doubt or possibly even regret and guilt.  We all know those feelings.  Don't think you are alone. Do not give up the fight......it's worth it on so many levels.  Even when you feel you are getting nowhere, do not give up.  Have patience, be kind to yourself, do not beat yourself  up, reach out to others for support, if you need help--get it....and above all---trust in your Lapband.   If you have a Lapband, you have a tool of a lifetime.  Allow it to be your pathway to the happiness and success you deserve!  
Although I have been successful  with my band(up to this point!),  I know my journey will never end.   Even after all the weight is gone....the work continues.  I need my band and the support that comes from everyone who is on this journey.....maybe even more than I did while I was in the throes of losing the weight!  
Life is not perfect on the other side of weight loss but we aren't trying to make our lives perfect---we are just trying to be healthy and feel good and live longer lives and wear cuter clothes (which sounds pretty damn perfect to me....how about you?)! We are just like everyone else....even our friends who have never dealt with weight issues in their lives.  Losing weight will not make life rainbows and butterflies 24/7 but it sure helps to open up our eyes to help us see those rainbows and butterflies!

It's weekends like this past one that always humble me and drive home the fact that  100+ pounds ago, I would never have been able to or wanted to do everything that we jam packed into 2 days. 
From early morning frolicking at the pumpkin patch to dancing till all hours at the casino---filled with all the laughter and the fun---my Lapband made it all possible. 
And, my Lapband will also be what will make it possible for me to go to work each day, pack up everything that needs packed up each night while also tending to my regular home and dad duties and then unloading all of that packing at our final destination.  YIKES.... I am tired just thinking about all of that....


My Lapband gave me more than a smaller pants size.  
It gave me another shot at good times.  It gave me the chance to make fun memories to last a lifetime. And, it was the tool that helps me to be who I am today, to do what I need to do today and to give of myself to those who I love today.....and tomorrow. 
Yes, all of that......with a PUMPKIN ON TOP......

Pumpkin Chai Latte

 Chai is my crack!  Add the pumpkin and I am deliriously orgasmic.....

• 1 non fat cup milk
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
• pinch ground cinnamon
• pinch ground ginger
• small pinch ground cloves
• crack of freshly ground black pepper (or a small pinch of pre-ground pepper)
• 1 black tea bag

Mix together all ingredients, except for tea, in a small saucepan. Bring to just barely a simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, drop in tea bag and let steep for 4 minutes. Remove teabag and serve immediately. Garnish with a sprinkling of cinnamon, if desired.

  
Happy October all!