We are told over and over again not to take large portions of food.  Controled portions of food help you to maintain and lose weight.  Mega portions mean more calories and a weight gain.  This is not exactly true.  Very strict diets can make you feel deprived and always hungry. What you choose to eat has  a  lot to do with it.  Soups such as Progresso Light  provide a full serving of vegetables and can help you control calories without that empty bowl feeling.  A good salad with carefully chosen salad dressing can also give you that feeling.

Satiety (which means being full and totally satisfied and not able to take on more) is essential in helping you control calories and stick to a healthy pattern of eating habits.  Pick and choose foods that are healthy and give you that satisfied feeling.

Thing to remember:  It takes your brain 20 minutes to start signaling a feeling of fullness.  Try to eat slowly, chew your food well, eat less, and enjoy what you eat.

You have heard the statement, "practice what you preach"?  I am going to try to turn over a new leaf and try to be more aware of all of this.

Later,

Gogi

January is the month to hit all the sales for tablecloths, napkins, place mats, etc.  If you want to expand your inventory on these items and add to the elegance of your dinner parties or family dinners, this is the month to get out and check out sale prices. 

A good linen tablecloth could cost you in the range of $100 and up; however, there are some cotton blend and polyester blends that are wash and go and look very nice.  If you are someone who does not have time on their hands, I would suggest the later.  If you wash them separately and take care of them, they look very nice and last a long time.  The pure linen tablecloths require special care.  They must be washed in cold water and ironed on high when slightly damp. 

Jacquard and Damask are also popular tablecloths.  Jacquard has variegated patterns that are achieved by weavng the design into the fabric itself.  Damask tablecloths are woven to achieve bars of lustrous tone-on-tone color, and are reversible with a subtle sheen.

Treat yourself to a day of shopping or just looking.  Most all of my tablecloths have been given to me or bought from the sale table!!!

Have fun.

Gogi

Combine 1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cuup brown ssugar

2 unbeaten eggs

Sift together

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Add to creamed mixture above.

Then add to that mixture

1 cup coconut

1 cup oats

i tsp. vanilla

Drop from a spoon onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

This is  a really quick and inexpensive recipe to make.  You can add raisins, nuts, cranraisins, or any other cut up dried fruits or just leave it plain.

LIKE I ALWAYS SAY- BE CREATIVE!!!

Gogi

1 cup butter or margarine

1/4 cup molasses

2 cup flour

2 cup chopped walnuts

 powdered sugar

Bake 325 degrees for 20 minutes.

Roll into approx 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet.  Remove from oven to rack and cool.  Roll in powdered sugar.

I do not know where this recipe came from but I have had it for a very loooooooooong time!.  It is great.

Gogi

2   8 ounce pkgs. shredded coconut

1   15 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

2    tsp. vanilla

Mix ingedients.  Drop from teaspoon onto well greased cookie sheet (or use brown paper liner).  Bake 10-12  minutes.  Cool slightly and remove from pan to rack.  Bake at 350 degrees.  Makes about 4 dozen.

This is certainly an easy recipe and very, very good.  This was given to me by a friend, Judy Boyd, who moved away a few years ago to North Carolina.  We miss her but still get to taste her wonderful recipe.

Thanks Judy.

Enjoy

Gogi