So some of you may know this but I failed two weight loss surgeries. I had the sleeve, got down some weight but then immediately started gaining back and had what we thought were complications. So then I had a revision to the bypass. Complications weren't solved. Again, got down to the same weight (aaaccckkkk!) and started gaining. I had heard of Dr John McDougall and other plant based doctors and believed that eating a nutrient dense diet made sense for health. I just also didn't think I could do it. But I did. I got down to 127, maintained for years. I went up a little at covid (but 140 at 5'6" isn't bad by any means) and more getting very sick recently. But I'm on my way back down. I focus on potatoes and veggies (add in some rice and fruit). If you have time, look at this "picture book": https://www.drmcdougall.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Dr-McDougall-Color-Picture-Book.pdf and the FB group McDougall Success Stories. The McDougall Friends is a great group for support and information but it is a 100% compliance group (don't argue, basically). YouTube has tons of videos by Dr McDougall as well as many other plant based doctors. You can also watch Forks Over Knives and What the Health for more information.

Oh, the logic of little people. On FB, a memory came up recently. My Andrew (who goes by A.J.) had a worksheet that asked a question about what he had read. He answered the question fine. Then, the next question asked, "How do you know?" A.J. answered, "Because I read the story." It makes sense to me 🙂

I find it irritating. I thought it was just men hitting on me at first. But it's become so much more frequent in the last couple of weeks. It'd be interesting to see what other people think.

I would be frustrated with that too! I live 45 minutes north of Dallas. I get same-day delivery on many things. I get most things within a day or two. Very rarely does it take longer than that.

I haven't been here is sooooo long. Surprised this is something people still reference 🙂

Getting their needs met, survival, is their primary goal in the first year. Learning how the world works, how people react, and how to make things happen is important but it isn't also rebellious or manipulative. It is simply "What will happen?" or "Will the same thing happen?" Babies learn by repetition. A nine-month-old grabbing the remote for the third time in five minutes is not rebellion.

Yes, I'm quite aware. I was just answering the question honestly where I even got such a notion. The combination of "blanket training" and "Montessori rugs" were similar enough *in my mind* to accept it as a thing to do at all. I just chose to do it (as well as almost all of my parenting) gently.

Well, I'll say that I did get it from the Pearls, I think. I considered it much like the rugs toddlers and preschoolers use in some daycares and most Montessori schools. Sometimes, a playpen, stroller, or high chair is appropriate, but there is nothing *inappropriate* about a blanket. I also "sleep train" babies without crying it out and "potty train" young toddlers making it extra fun. I think of these things like "training wheels." Though we don't use those either <gasp>, the idea is the same. We support and encourage the child until they can do it on their own. We just do it in nice ways. So babies regularly play on blankets, 4- or 5-month-olds sleep through the night, toddlers use the toilet, and 3yos can ride bikes without training wheels. Anyway, JME,

Our town doesn't have a library yet and the next town over has a very small one. But I was able to find two books. And sooooo, I read the Prologue of The Shell Seekers 🙂 It didn't go poorly at all. I may go slowly, but I'm going to do this!

Short Story: This is the way of eating I used: https://www.drmcdougall.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Dr-McDougall-Color-Picture-Book.pdf Longer Story posted on McDougall Success Stories group of FB: So, here is my Whole Foods Plant Based story: I was a little short for my weight all my childhood. All my adult life, I have been 70-110+ pounds overweight. My autoimmune disorders were exasperated by my weight. So I had weight loss surgery. Way before goal, I started gaining again. I also had what we thought were complications. So I had surgery again, still had issues, AND started gaining again way before goal. What on earth? I knew about Dr John McDougall’s way of eating. I had watched Forks Over Knives. I believed that it worked and was the healthiest way of eating. So I got serious. And I got serious results! My fasting sugar became normal. My blood pressure became wonderful. My cholesterol became “heart attack proof.” My pulse is good. My blood numbers (minerals and vitamins) are great. And I’ve been between 127 and 130 for almost two years now. Most importantly, now I can chase my kids and enjoy being a mom in a way I’ve never been able to before. This picture was a maintenance picture I took for accountability a few months ago. I am going to stay as healthy as I can. Diabetes, heart disease, even some autoimmune issues are in remission as long as I eat a nutrient dense, very low fat, plant based diet. I then shared a picture of me at 242 and another at 127.

Oh thank you all so much! I will look into most of these suggestions and narrow it down. Surely something will be just right! THanks again!

I think maybe attention and stamina issues. I can read a page or two of information without an issue. I couldn't keep up with a book club on a non-fiction book, but I could read smaller sections at a time. I can also read short stories from a magazine (for example). So I think I have it in me. I just might need to be patient with myself. "At least one book" in a whole year seems like such a doable goal. I don't want to push it an make that a 700 page book so if I miss time it becomes an issue, but something seems an option 🙂

So some of you know that I had a stroke in May of 2006 at the age of 31. Before the stroke, I read voraciously. I *loved* it. It was so much more fulfilling than scrolling FB could ever be, as I'm sure y'all know. I can scroll okay but I haven't been able to read a novel since the stroke, not one. I tried once but failed, but it's been years since I tried. As part of my 23 in 2023 bucket list/goals, I'd like to try to read a book. What book would you say is worth it for a first read? Key information about me: I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses so fairly conservative but not political in the least. I'm not interested in books centered around religion or war or governments. 16.5 years. Its time! I can do this if I stay determined. I think I can do it. Now what to read...

Sometimes things work out just perfectly. Before I was following a spiritual path, my husband moved in with me TWO WEEKS after we met. We slowly came to love one another, have kids together, get married (in that order). We'll have been legally married 27 years in March.

I would like to join this. I haven't made it to 23 quite yet, but I'm well on my way. I have things like: getting a mammogram and eye exam (same line), losing the Covid 15, various spiritual goals, paint bedroom(s), go camping, start an herb garden, and 4 sleeps away (what I heard it takes to reset). I also included make paper crafts (airplanes, snowflakes, origami) with the kids and GO to a movie (hopefully there will be one worth going to else it'll just be Mario LOL). I have a big one if anyone wants to help. I would like to read a piece of fiction. As some know, I had a stroke in May 2006. Before the stroke, I read voraciously. Since, I have not read one book (not literature or even fluff). So I'd like to read a book. Key info about me: I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses so pretty conservative but with no interest in politics. I also wouldn't be interested in something primarily around religion or war. Any suggestions (or should I make a separate post?)? Oh, and I do think that this is a matter of semantics but it was one that allowed me to participate. The idea of a SMART goal for 23 things seems WAY out of reach. A few bucket items, a few things that need to be done, a couple goals, etc ALL seem more do-able and list-worthy this way, I think.