Friday, February 27, 2009

Recovery from yesterday

Whew! Yesterday was sure a trying day, I am so glad its over and done with. Today is a fresh day! Just a quick moment here to thank everyone for thier encouragement and support too! Thanks for reading. :)
I wanted to get a jump on my menu planning while my guys are coloring and busy.
Also I was a little late getting the menu out last week. So I guess I am making up for last week.

So here goes:

Sunday:
Pulled pork
coleslaw
baked beans

Slow cooker pulled pork:
4 lb pork roast
2 onions sliced
1 onion chopped
5 or 6 whole cloves
2 cups water
16 oz bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
salt and pepper

Place one sliced onion at the bottom of Crock Pot.
Stud pork roast with cloves and season with salt and pepper.
Place roast in slow cooker on top of the sliced onion. Cover with the second sliced onion and add enough water to fill Crock Pot two thirds of the way.
Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours.
Remove roast. Remove and discard cloves, bone and fat as well as any water, onions and grease remaining in pot.
When pork roast is cool enough to handle, use a fork or your fingers to pull it apart until the entire roast is shredded.
Return the pulled pork to the crockpot. Mix in the chopped onion and BBQ sauce and cover. Heat on high for 1-3 hours or until the onions are soft.
(This is soo good on fresh homemade buns)

Monday:
Smoked sausage dinner
about 10 ounces uncooked pasta(bow tie, or penne are great)
1 lb fully cooked smoked sausage or kielbasa
1 can sliced mushrooms
2 tsp minced garlic
2 TBSP butter
2 TBSP cornstarch
2 cups milk
1 tsp chicken bouliion seasoning
1 tsp salt
2 cups frozen snow peas or green beans
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

Cook pasta. Heat large skillet, and saute the sausage, garlic,green beans, and mushrooms in butter. Combine cornstarch, boullion and milk. Add to skillet, bring to a boil and cook for about 3 minutes or until thickened. Drain pasta, add to skillet, then add cheddar cheese and salt. Stir until all mixed and serve.
Use Parmesan cheese for sprinkling over the top.

Tuesday:
Baked Chicken
Rice
steamed broccoli

Chicken:
1 (3 to 4 pound) whole chicken
1 tsp each salt and pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder

Wad three pieces of aluminum foil into 3 to 4 inch balls, and place them in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Rinse the chicken, inside and out, under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels. Season the chicken with the spices, and place in the slow cooker on top of the crumbled aluminum foil.
Set the slow cooker to High for 1 hour, then turn down to Low for about 8 to 10 hours, or until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear.
Serve with hot cooked rice and steamed broccoli.

Wednesday:
Soft chicken tacos (use leftover chicken)
refried beans

Thursday:
Spinach and Feta Linguine(an old favorite)
6 oz uncooked linguine
1 lb uncooked peeled and deveined meduim shrimp
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cups diced tomatoes(canned is fine)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 or less tsp crushed red pepper flakes(depending on your spice tolerance)
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tsp minced dried parsley

Cook pasta. In large non-stick pan. Saute onion, garlic and shrimp 3-5 minutes. Add toms,broth, tomato paste, oregano, salt, pepper,parsley and red pepper flakes. Simmer 10 minutes, add drained pasta. Sprinkle with feta cheese.

Friday:
Steaks
Baked potatoes
steamed cauliflower

Season and/or marinate steaks to your liking. Pan fry. Serve with microwaved baked potatoes and steamed cauliflower..yum

Saturday:
Slow Cooker Chicken Paprikash

8-10 Chicken Thighs
2 teaspoons Hungarian Paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup, flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon (I prefer concentrated stock paste)
½ cup sour cream (can use light sour cream)
1 teaspoon flour
1 tablespoon olive oil

Place thighs in a large skillet with one tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of paprika over the thighs. Turn thighs over and sprinkle the other 1 teaspoon of paprika over the other side. Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the chicken.
Transfer thighs to a slow cooker. Keep the pan drippings intact and add the onion to the skillet. Return the skillet to medium heat and sauté for several minutes. Turn the heat off and add the flour, mixing well. Add chicken broth and turn the heat back on the medium, stirring well until mixture starts to thicken. Add bouillon.
Pour thickened broth over the thighs in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.30 minutes before serving. Mix the sour cream with 1 teaspoon flour in a separate bowl. Add a few tablespoons of the liquid from the slow cooker to warm up the sour cream mixture (this will prevent it from curdling). Add the sour cream to the slow cooker and stir well. Continue to cook on low for 30 minutes. Serve over wide egg noodles.
Enjoy!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Zach

My son embraces the mud and the rain naturally, he takes no mind that his clothes will be wet and soiled and that I am the one that will have to clean them. He gathers his ingredients to build a thing he has already planned out in his mind's eye. His often comical and and says funny and witty things I had not thought of.
He has an expansive knowledge of many things mechanical, he has a grasp of things at five I will never learn in a lifetime. He is intense, and has a dark side to which he goes to when he is angry or sad. He is independent and verbal. He is unlike anyone I know.
I do not want to dampen his spirit, but he is a poor listner, and a disobedient child. He is whiny and demanding. He is trying me as much as he can and I love him with all my heart. Someday I want to look back and smile remembering what a handful he was, but today he makes me cry.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Sad

Well its just sad. Gene has not gone back to work, and this makes me very sad. His boss has not called him back, despite Gene having called a few times. The promise is that they are going to be starting a remodel job in Topeka. In other news..there is no other news.
Zach has been a real handful lately, and the promise of kindergarden is looking pretty good. We take him to get enrolled at the end of April, and school starts in the fall. Until then he will continue to attend the co-op preschool he is currently at. As soon as we get our taxes I will get my new mini-van.
I get to go to Target some time today to get some new wire cubbies for the daycare. I need something better for thier stuff! The basket I make them deposit into everyday is stuffed and its hard to dig thru looking for undies or a clean shirt. With the cubbies everyone gets thier own space.
I am looking to replace Zach's gumball machine.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Carousel-Gas-Pump-Gumball-Machine--Bank--*-New-In-Box-*_W0QQitemZ220361430562QQcmdZViewItem
It got broken at our party last weekend and I know my parents would be really upset since they just bought it for him at Christmas. I think this model is the cheapest I am going to find one...sigh the money is easy come easy go.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Late Menu

Sorry folks the menu is late this week due to being so busy!
Since Sunday has already passed I will just start with tonights menu.
Monday:
Indian style beef:
1 beef stew meat
1 can diced tomatoes
1 green pepper diced
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 can 12oz indian masala sauce
1 dash garam masala
steamed rice

Place lb of stew meat, onions, garlic, pepper and tomatoes into crock pot. Cook on high one hour. switch to low, cook 6-8 hours. Add masala suace and garam masala after about 4 hours of cooking stir well. Serve over hot steamed basmati rice.

Fat Tuesday:
Jambalaya (I know you just had a rice and tomatoey dish but it is fat Tuesday..you have to have jambalaya!)
2 cups rice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, once around the pan
1 tablespoon butter
1 pound boneless, skinless white or dark meat chicken
3/4 pound andouille, casing removed and diced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
Several drops hot sauce or 2 pinches cayenne pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons (a handful) all-purpose flour
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice
1(14-ounce) can or paper container chicken stock or broth
1 teaspoon (1/3 palmful) cumin
1 rounded teaspoon (1/2 palmful) dark chili powder
1 teaspoon (1/3 palmful) poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 pound medium shrimp, raw, deveined and peeled (ask for easy peel at fish counter)
Coarse salt and black pepper
Chopped scallions, for garnish
Fresh thyme, chopped for garnish

Cook rice. Place a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and butter to the pan. Cube chicken and place in hot oil and butter. Brown chicken 3 minutes, add sausage, and cook 2 minutes more. Add onion, celery, pepper, bay, and cayenne.
Saute vegetables 5 minutes, sprinkle flour over the pan and cook 1 or 2 minutes more. Stir in tomatoes and broth and season with cumin, chili, poultry seasoning, and Worcestershire. Bring liquids to a boil and add shrimp.
Simmer shrimp 5 minutes until pink and firm. Remove the pot from the heat and place on a trivet. Ladle jambalaya into shallow bowls. Using an ice cream scoop, place a scoop of rice on to the center of the bowlfuls of jambalaya. Sprinkle dishes with salt, pepper, chopped scallions, and thyme leaves.

Wednesday:
Breakfast for dinner!
Pancakes
bacon
eggs
This is Zach's favorite dinner.

Thursday:
Maria's favorite!
Sour cream chicken thighs
8 chicken thighs
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pinch salt
1 pinch paprika
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried dill weed

Brown chicken in oil over medium heat. Place in a 9 x 13 inch greased baking dish. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste.
Combine mushroom soup, onion soup mix, sour cream, lemon juice, milk and dill weed. Pour over chicken.
Bake at 350 degrees for one hour, or until chicken is tender and sauce is brown.

Friday:
Pizza night
make homemade pizza

Saturday:
Mom's yummy chicken
steamed green beans
buttered egg noodles

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 TBLSP dried rosemary
balsamic vinegar
olive oil
salt and pepper
2 tsp minced garlic

Put olive oil in non-stick pan, and bring up to medium heat. Salt and pepper both sides of chicken. Place chicken in pan, sprinkle with balsamic vinegar about 1 tsp per piece, sprinkle with rosemary and garlic. Place lid on pan and cook for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally. Serve over buttered egg noodles and with steamed green beans.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Lap Band surgery

Recently I have been doing some research on what I can do to stop my diabetes. Although my weight has been reducing I have not been able to get better control of my blood sugars. I would love to get into some smaller jeans! Hence, the lap band doctor research I have been doing. Recenly the prices have dropped dramatically and it may be something I am considering in the future. It would greatly improve my lifestyle, and could help others that are in the same situation as I am. If you are interested in it here is a link that may help you get started:
lap-band surgery

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Man to work

The good news is that Gene is going back to work..well we thought it was going to be today. But now we are assuming that it is Monday. I don't really care just knowing that we still have our health insurance and his paying job is reason to celebrate!
Tonight is now the pot roast night since we are entertaining on Sat night. Hence Friday is now quesadilla night. I am cooking up ideas for a friend who is having a birthday soon...what can I make her? Any ideas or suggestions are welcome here!
I am breathing a huge sigh of relief, as far as the daycare goes. If Gene is back to work then I will be going to get a mini-van..all I need is a few minths of daycare pay, and I can then afford one! I am also delighting in the fact that we will soon be looking for some fuzzy chicks to add to our family.Also I am sending off for some pear, cherry and apple trees YAY!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Menu change

So instead of chicken noodle bake I made a chicken pot pie tonight.
Here's what I did:
Chicken pot pie
2 cups cooked diced boneless skinless chicken breasts(poached mine in chicken broth)
1 bag of mixed veggies
1/2 brick 4 oz cream cheese
1 cup chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste
all purpose seasoning or chicken seasoning about a tablespoon
fresh miced parsley about 1 tablespoon diced
2 teaspoons corn starch
2 pie crusts

Put chicken broth, cream cheese, veggies and seasoning in pan. Cook until cream cheese is melted, and is smooth and bubbly. Place cornstarch in small bowl, add about a tablespoon of cream chees mixture with no veggies in the bowl. Stir until its smooth and a paste has been made. Add to pan, and stir well, raise heat to achieve a boil. Remove from heat once its thickened.
Place first pie crust in pie plate. Place filling into crust. Add top crust and crimp edges. Place 4-5 large slits in crust top to allow for steam venting. Cook at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes. Let cool for about 10 miutes before serving. There will be no leftovers..I promise. HUGS Evie

Monday, February 16, 2009

Weekend

We had a pretty lowkey weekend. Stayed home on Sat. and babysat 4 on Sat. night which helped us pay for our Sunday outing. We took a quick trip to Kansas City. First we wne to the Bass Pro shop for shopping for Gene. Although I don't get too excited about these places I was fairly impressed with the womens clothing dept. They has some pretty nice clothes and some awesome sales racks. I spent a good deal of time trying on stuff, but everything was either too big(YAY!)or too small. Nothing seemed to fit well, and I had to force myself not to get this really cute shirt, that was too big, and I was all preparing to figure out how to open the seams and make it fit me better...which I know would probably just end up sitting on my sewing table for 6 months. SO I resisted!
We went to lunch at the BD's Mongolian Grill. http://www.gomongo.com/
If you have not been to one of these places, the food is always good. You pick all the raw ingredients and sauces and they cook it for you. My favorite place for this is actually a place called Ghegis Khan(SP?) its also in Kansas City, but a wee bit more expensive and further away. We had a nice lunch and the company was nice too!
Maria and her daughter M
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Zach and a tortilla
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Maria's daughter M
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M is so freaking cute I just want to eat her up!

The rest of the day was pretty boring. We went home and wached Baby Momma. If you have not seen this movie, it was really cute. Overall a pretty quiet weekend. Next weekend we are hosting a game night.. its going to be a blast.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentines Day!

Well I gave my people thier gifts, but got nothing. Big shocker there!
Good thing I got some yummy treats in my swap.
Here is my valentines day baby and his new haircut:
Before:
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After:
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Friday, February 13, 2009

$60 of groceries and a menu from it!

So I will be using pantry items and purchased groceries to provide this weeks menu.
My grocery receipt looks something like this:

Reeses PB hearts .49 X 2 (for the guys for valentines)
Organic brown eggs 1 DZ 2.49
Bagged boneless skinless chicken breasts 3.5lbs 3.99
canned corn .48 X 2
Cheese crackers 1.99 with $1.00 off coupon
brown sugar 1.00 with .46 off coupon
pudding cups .79
16 oz pasta 1.99
store brand spaghetti rings 1 can .58
4 boxes store brand mac and cheese .29
Large can of coffee 6.59
minced dried onions .88
sour cream .79
refried beans .69
egg noodles 1.47
canned pears halves 1.28
coffee creamer 1.57 X 2
freezer bags 1.14 with $1.00 off coupon
blueberries 1.99 one pint
organic bananas 5 1.48
2lbs green grapes 2.08
3 lbs ground beef 4.77
sale roast 2.62
sale steaks 4.64
tortillas .96
package of bacon 1.79
celery .79
fozen peas .89
bag of potatoes 1.99
bagged baby carrots .89

Sunday:
We are eating out at lunch so we will be having a light supper

Chicken and corn chowder
homemade bread

Chowder:
2 pieces of bacon
1 cup sliced onions
3 stalks celery diced
1/2 cup canned roasted red peppers (mine are home canned)
2 cups chicken broth (I make mine from boullion)
2 cooked diced boneless skinless chicken breast(I will poach mine)
1 can evaporated milk
1 can drained diced tomatoes (also home canned) about 1 cup
1 can of corn
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp dried thyme
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon hickory flavored BBQ sauce

Chop up bacon and cook until brown and crispy. Remove bacon and saute onion, celery and garlic in drippings until softened. Add the flour, salt and pepper and thyme.
Mix well, and stir in the broth and canned milk. Bring to a boil and stir until soup begins to thicken. Reduce heat and cok on low for 15 more minutes. Serve with bread.


Monday:
Sloppy joes(on homemade buns)
oven fries
steamed baby carrots

Sloppy joes:
1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 Teaspoon ground mustard
1 Teaspoon onion powder
1/4 cup ketchup
salt and pepper to taste
1lb ground beef cooked and drained

Cook meat while assembling ingredients. Add all to cooked drained meat and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Baked fries:
3 russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch strips
cooking spray
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a medium baking sheet.
Arrange potato strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, skin sides down. Spray lightly with cooking spray, and sprinkle with basil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Tuesday:
Chicken Noodle Bake
6 ounces thin egg noodles, cooked, drained
6 tablespoons butter
1 can sliced mushrooms
6 tablespoons flour
1 2/3 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cooked diced chicken breasts
1 cup frozen peas, thawed under hot water
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese , plus more for topping
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish.
In large skillet or saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Blend in flour, stirring until smooth and bubbly. Gradually add chicken broth, mushrooms, milk, carrots, and salt and pepper; stir constantly until sauce is thickened. Stir in chicken, peas, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, and the cooked noodles. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over top. Bake chicken noodle casserole 20 to 25 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

Wednesday:
Steak
Baked Potatoes
sauteed beet greens(from our garden)


Thursday:
Pasta
sauteed veggies (shredded carrots, diced celery, frozen peas)
garden veggie spag sauce (homemade)

Saute veggies in butter for about 5 minutes or until softened, add to cooked sauce, and sever over hot pasta.

Friday:
Crockpot roast
with carrots and potatoes

1 roast (beef or pork)
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix or onion mushroom mix
1 c. water
Favorite spices and herbs
3 potatoes, quartered
3 carrots, cut up

Load up the crock pot with all ingredients. Mix water with dry soup mix and pour over everything. Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 10-12 hours.

Saturday:
Beef quesadillas
refried beans

Use leftover beef roast to make quesadillas. Serve with canned refried beans, sour cream and salsa.

Daycare Lunches

Monday: Spaghetti rings, canned pears, cheese crackers
Tuesday: PBJ, green grapes
Wednesday: Mac and cheese, bluberries
Thursday: Homemade pizza, green grapes
Friday: Fish sticks, mac and cheese, frozen peas.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Ho Hum the holiday comes

Well as you all know Sat is Valentines Day. I don't expect flowers or candy or even a card...I am paying to take us out to lunch on Sunday. Because I want to eat out and have some fun, not because I am feeling romantic or anything. I plan on us going to the mall after wards so I can buy some underwear..again not because I am feeling romantic, its because I need to part with some of my old ripped falling apart panties.
A few of my daycare kids are sick today, but I have two here to replace the lost revenue, seems like the universe is taking care of me in that dept. Gene for some reason thinks I am a bad babysitter, cause I let the kids watch movies and walk around with thier cups, I don't care what he thinks really..he seems to think he knows it all. But really he can't even handle being with Zach without losing his patience. I am a great daycare provider! I play with the kids, I keep a routine with them, and I keep them busy, minus a bit of TV here and there.
I know I have been really down on Gene lately but having him here all the time has put a huge strain on things.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Daycare or bust

I attended a long meeting..informational class yesterday. It reviewed all of the things I have already read and filled my brain up with. It seems as though most people are idiots, which I suppose is true. It was all having to do with opening my daycare or for me, just being legitimate. I am no preparing to start paying into taxes again. Its been four long years since I actually claimed anything, and it actually feels good. I would continue being an under the table provider, except one of my patrons is pretty much forced me into it. If I did not need the money so badly I would probably not register. It is impossible for me to turn someone away right now, and since I feel these children need me I must...
The tension fills the air, and I can breathe now that Gene has left for the day. His anger and impatience leave me in a funk. I hate this feeling. He left with an air of smugness, just because he did some laundry. He suggested that I do the same, and I ignored him as he blew me a kiss goodbye. As if he is the authority on housework! UGHHHHH

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

It just is

I rolled out of bed this morning, my eyelids swollen. Another "I want to leave you" argument last night. Him trying to convince me that, it would really suck, we would lose the house. No garden, no chickens, no fruit trees. I want those things..I also want intimacy, love and affection. I want someone who understands me, someone who acts like they give a shit, or at least pretends to. All he says is that he sucks and wants to make things better..how many times have I heard this one??? Why oh why do I listen. I am tired of being angry and bitchy, and needy.
He complains, that I made no plans for Valentines Day..did he even ask? Or make plans? NO!
I am hosting a babysitting night on Valentines Day to make money..if I fill up it will be something like $160 for four hours of daycare..that would be fantastic, its almost enought to cover preschool next month.(It's $185 for a whole month).
I am going to drown out the voices today with some valentines candy I got in a swap.
I know its just a made up commercial day, but doesn't it feel good to have some who cares show it??
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Here are some pics of Zach tearing up some cooked trout that Gene caught this week. He has so much free time, so he has been fishing a lot.
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It's hard to believe he is in short sleeves! The weather here has been in the high
60's and Zach has jumped at the chance to get into his shorts and short sleeved T's.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Manic Monday

It's just another manic Monday...I wish it were still Saturday. We stayed the night over at a friends house out in the country on Sat. The weather was in the high 60's and gorgeous. We sat around a fire, Freeda enjoyed her freedom. Zach played nicely with other children, and we had some fruity drinks. I can not think of any other way to spend a more enjoyable evening. We ate mexican take out, no cooking!
Today just sucks compared to Sat. Freeda has peed on the floor, two daycare kids have peed on the floor, and Zach has been mouthy and whiny. I had to wash his mouth out with soap, for being so fresh!!
The upside: Gene cleaned both of the bathrooms and started a load of laundry...after I mentioned it needed to be done.. Bless him, the king of all assholes. HAHA
There is fresh bread cooling on the counter and its almost naptime for my daycare kiddo. I only have a half day of kids tomorrow, I won't know what to do with myself.
I fixed the printer..yay! So I saved us a bundle on that.. sinora..

Saturday, February 7, 2009

I Know!

I know..I have not been blogging this week..at all. I have been distracted by the pooch, and the kids and the terribly nice weather. We are going to spend the night with some friends tonight and I hope to get some pics, and bloggin in tomorrow.
We went to buck night at the indoor pool last night, it was wonderful and it only cost $1, I love this town.
I gave $75 of my hard earned money to the big box store today, the guilt factor is killing me. However I have been the incredible shrinking woman lately and so I need some new clothes! I am down by about two sizes, and I have not even been trying. Which is wonderful.