Wow! back in Puerto Vallarta!!!

So here I am, thinking it has been too long since I updated the world....but seriously why not.....today I stepped on the scale and weighed in at 229.3!!!! YES!!!! you heard right, I have finally broken into the 220's!!!!!!

I am back in PV...after a wild week....hubby aiming at having  Gastric Plication, being approved, me flying on an express flight to San Diego, to make it to TJ, so that when we met at the Phoenix airport, he started getting cold feet......

So whatever, I am here as full support, I know what a life changing procedure is, and what is involved in your mental awareness of the issue....he was starting to not think it a good idea, and then all of a sudden, started questioning his mind-set.....as practical a person as I am....I still wanted him to do it, for his sake, and for his health's sake, however he felt scared and nervous, and wasn't sure, so I backed him up on the decision and left the door open....maybe next year he'll have it done, or maybe by next year, he'll have done it on his own.....

So we  flew in a few days early to PV, and have been enjoying my new found freedoms.....jumping on a pool float is no big deal, getting on an intertube at the lazy river....not such a huge spectacle, nor is gettin off......kayak, still doing it, and feel better at getting on and off....

best of all, I have stepped on the scale every day and have stayed within the range until today....when 229.3 was there.....220's here I come!!!!!

So it' been a couple of weeks...

So the last couple of weeks.....I have stayed at exactly the same weight for the last 2 weeks....so I guess I am on a stall....but all in all it has been good....I am starting to take things for granted.....like....I can walk into any store and buy clothes....

Today I walked into Target, saw that they had some watches on sale, some cheapy fashion watches for 12.99.....I strolled up, picked up the one I wanted and checked out....it was easy....and amazing I didn't have the anxiety of will this fit my wrist, or better....the reality, that I could never fit into anything cheap and cute.....

Oh! and another thing I have been enduring the last couple of weeks.....WARNING: TMI comming!


So I have had the hardest time going #2......and seriously, no pun intended....it has been sooooooo HARD......a week ago I seriously thought I was turning by butt inside out.....plus I'm only going 2-3 times a week max....

so I re-discovered PRUNELAX....

This has become my lifesaver.....I take 1 pill at night and then the next day I have an "easy" go....no cramps, no pain....just smooth sailing.....

Ok....no other updates.....I'll write in a few days.....

I fit a towel!!!!!!

So here is something I never thought to write as a goal.....

TO FIT IN A TOWEL......

You know, how for years, or at least as long as I can remember, I would get a bath towel, and after taking a shower, would grab the towel, and try to wrap it around me, and there always seemed to be a huge amount of towel missing so I'd have to hold it half hazardly with one or two hands....when I did shop for towels I'd look for extra large, super sized bath sheets...and still sort of had to hold on to it.....meanwhile, I'd see friends and family, get out of the shower, grab a towel, wrap it around their bodies, and walk around the house/room/locker-room....with a makeshift towel outfit......

So today I realized....I just grabbed the towel, a normal towel, and got out of the shower, wrapped it around my body, had enough towel to tuck and hold...and I was able to empty the dishwasher....and then it dawned on me.....

I FIT INTO A TOWEL!!!!!

I'm in the 230's!!!!

All I have to say is........

238.3!!!!!!!!!!


I am sooooooo psyched......yay!!!!!!!!!!!


I don't have a huge update....I'll write more on the weekend.....but YAHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

So here I am....Sunday night....and getting ready for another week...

Week 1 done!....move into apartment....done!.....ready to go to bed....you betcha!

The week was un-eventful, I moved in on Wednesday (well the rental furniture people delivered the furniture) and I bought groceries...that was it for me!  but it still never ends....need shower curtain, forgot to buy, showered myself and the bathroom...oh well...there is always Thursday.....

But I am totally settled now, cooked a few meals for week of food (and cheated and got some Indian ready made at the Whole Foods)....but am ready to go...lunches in containers and ready to go....since I am waiting for my furniture, appliances, etc....I am refusing to buy a coffee maker, I'll drink the crap coffee at work, and instead I am going to drink a protein shake on the way into work....I have never had ready made shakes, so I bought a few: light muscle milk, EAS Advantage, and Pure Protein....I'll let you guys know if I like any of them and tell you what they taste like....

So still...for me what is the best thing about this surgery....that I don't get hungry...I lucked out, I just don't get hungry....but I know that I am hungry and need food...and usually realize too late....like today, I woke up, messed around the house for a while and then decided to go grocery shopping for protein drinks, and other stuff (Whole Foods)....but I forgot to put fuel in the engine....so at around 3:30 I was still dealing with traffic, stores, and was getting annoyed at the littlest things, then the sweats, then I realized I hadn't eaten, so I swung my the first place I saw (McD's...not best choice) ordered a hamburger (a plain little burger, threw the top bun in bag, and ate....I also got an iced latte....I drank a few sips, but it was super sweet, I didn't know that they pre-sweetened their coffee at McD's....but oh well....it took the edge off....

So off I go, to watch the Golden Globes and get ready to face the world again tomorrow....

Today was the first day of my new job!!!

Last Thursday we flew out from CA to Orlando, FL.....our mission...to find a rental and to get ready for my first day on the job....

On Thursday night, we were walking around downtown and ran into a REMAX office to ask about the local building...out came the local Realtor douche bag, but as annoying as he was, he was the perfect guy for ALL of the downtown buildings.  We saw 2 units that night and scheduled to meet at 9am the next morning.....

The next day we looked at over 20 condos, privately owned and condo turned apartment complexes....and yes you would have guessed, the first one we saw that morning is the one we leased...that afternoon....so that was set! phew!  then to schedule rental furniture until my furniture gets packed and shipped and organized.....

and off we are.....I move in on Wednesday....furniture (rental) gets delivered tomorrow....


So then today....my first day of work...I was super jittery last night, and woke up a couple times....but amazingly enough...today went super smooth, loved my team members and just had fun....

Around 3pm they called me into the lobby to give me a vase of flowers....at first I thought...oh,....hubby so thoughtful....but NO! it was my mom and dad sending their best wishes....so needless to say he felt like a dork....(and so did I a little).....people would ask or say..."what beautiful flowers....is it your birthday"....NO!...it's my first day here...."oh they must be from  your husband"....NO! they're from my mommy and daddy....Ha!

Great day, great new beginnings!  yay for 2011....(oh by the way....still love my VSP, I mean, I have been eating out going on 2 weeks now...with a few days in between at home...and I can't over eat, and am still losing size!!!!)

New Year.....wow....

Time totally flies.....it is January 2011!!!!

So let's recap the year.....

Last year on New Year's Eve, I was sitting in the hot tub with my husband, I was totally down, was sick of my job, sick of being fat, and knew it was time to make a change.....as we sat there with a glass of wine, crying about my life.....I made a statement....

....IN 2010 I AM GOING TO CHANGE!!! IT WILL BE THE YEAR OF CHANGE, AND THE YEAR OF GREAT OPPORTUNITIES!.....

So at the end of January I quit my job, and began job search....I know, I know...probably the wrong order to do things, but when things need to change...they just have to....so there I was....February, looking for a job, changing my resume and deciding to start changing my body...this time seriously......

So I started going to the gym twice a day, started a healthy diet, started cutting down on alcohol consumption, had myself tested for food sensitivities, and metabolic typing....all that was great, but I was still gaining weight...

I felt so out of control, now I had no job, and my body was just out of control...on a total gaining spiral....I weighed in at 310 at some point (even though I try to block that out)....

In May I was so down...I started researching surgical options, thought about what to do, and then in June I decided, I was getting a sleeve....scheduled and was ready to go....then I discovered the gastric plication procedure...and never looked back....I changed surgeons, and re-scheduled and had surgery in July!

Phew! what a year!!!!!

Since July:

• I have lost 59lbs (ugh I was so mad that I didn't make 60 by year end....but it'll happen).....
• I have a new awesome job
• I am moving cross country (from California to Florida) this week to start my new job
• My husband is down 40 lbs! His business is starting to kick butt.....

So I guess.....in the words of Oprah! "the universe gave me what I asked for"...what's the name of that whole creed.....the one about putting things out into the world and having positive thoughts and mantras....it worked....

This New Year's Eve I sat in the same hot tub, with a glass of champagne...and said:

....2010 WAS THE YEAR OF CHANGE, 2011 WILL BE THE YEAR OF GREATNESS!.........

Happy New Year everyone!

I am NOT afraid of the dryer anymore?!@!!!!

I just realized, that in the past I had always blamed hot water washing or the heat in the dryer for the fact that my clothes were tighter after being washed....

Today I realized that I am no longer afraid of that, I have no fear when my husband does the laundry.  Actually, I enjoy my jeans fresh out of the dryer, they tend to stay on now...after a few hours they sag in the but or start falling down....so.......

I just wanted to share.....never fear....one of these days you will no longer be scared of the monster that lives in the dryer and shrinks your clothes.....

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Trampoline and wedding!!!

So it's been about a week.....

I made a lighting fast flight to H-town to my baby sisters wedding.  This was my first time having my family see me after surgery so I was excited to show off.....

The first night I was there I stayed at my sisters house....she has 2 little girls that are the awesome....we hung out and I jumped on a trampoline.....seriously...I hadn't been on a trampoline since I was around 10 years old....boy let me tell you, it is more work than I remember.....here's proof!

Then we hung out, we went shopping at Kohl's, I had never or hardly ever been able to fit into anything at Kohl's and this time I had to send stuff back and switch it out for a smaller size.....I'm in 20's and some 18's.....also wearing 1x shirts.....that button and don't snag....for the first time I was able to just pull on a pair of pants.....yay!

Then off to my mom's and then the wedding....my baby sister looked so pretty and so happy.....long story, and there was a lot of emotional stuff happening around this event, but it went off without a hitch....check them out dancing their first dance......

And here I am making silly faces with my niece....she is such a girl now....can't wait to see what she's like when she hits her teen years!

In the meantime I am down another 2lbs making it close to 58!  Christmas is around the corner and I can't wait for my Xmas present this year.....it's off to Vegas Baby!!!!!

Picture Day.....

So here we are....4.5 months....56 lbs.....check me out!

 and....(I am finally noticing!!!)

Awesome Day!

So today I got an awesome job offer....ok will have to move from Cali to Florida, but they'll move me.

Stepped on the scale, lost 3.5 lbs....so I am 56lbs total

Worked out like a dog, was able to do new stuff!

Went out to dinner.  Ordered a Rib-eye, had the rib, left the eye...brought it home and will put into the leftover grilled meat pile...I'll cook down tomorrow and make a "slime" with different meats, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, etc.....love it!

I am loving today!~

Chinese food today....

So....I hadn't been out to lunch in a while.

Hubs and I went out for Chinese and then grocery shopping.  I go in and they sit us in a booth.  My heart immediately started beating faster, and I felt the anxiety of not fitting or trying to wedge in....and guess what!  I slid right in, with room to spare...like 1/2 a foot to spare.....Yay!

So I ordered off the lunch menu.....Mongolian Beef, hold the beef, and give me chicken instead, steamed rice, hot and sour soup.....

So here comes the soup....I took 3-4 sips.....

Then came the meal....I ate 1/2 of a wanton, and 1/2 of the spring roll.....then I had maybe 3-4 bites of the meal itself.....and that was it!

I have Chinese food leftovers to last me through the end of the week!

I was actually surprised....and then thought to myself....wow! I used to be able to eat all of it, clean plate for sure!  and still have room for fortune cookie, and maybe be hungry a few hours later.....

Yay!

So I thought I'd update.....

Back in July, a few days before surgery, I posted my mini goal list:

I can cut my toenails and not run out of breath (the week before vacation I cut my toe nails and didn't even think about it)

get on an airplane and actually pull my seatbelt tight, instead of hoping I don't have to ask for an extender (going on vacation and traveling to Orlando, I fit in the sit, and pulled my seatbelt tight!  Woo hoo)

being able to go to the bathroom in said airplane...I don't ask for #2, but just to pee and wipe without acrobatics, since I can't get my legs open enough to get my hand in for a wipe (yup, was able to pee, wipe and pull up clothes....no problem)

Speaking of #2, while out and about, not choosing the handicap bathroom so that I can actually wipe (haven't had the need, but was able to change my clothes in a regular stall at the airport, with suitcase inside stall....so I'm sure going #2 will be ok....heeeeeeeeeeee)

being able to shop anywhere on the planet for clothes, and not spend a week in travel clothes because my luggage was lost and there is not a store in the country that caters to the "plus size"

going to a restaurant and not worrying if I'll fit in the booth, or if the hostess will try to sit me in a booth just to see me struggle, to finally rest my breasts on the table.

looking down while standing up and seeing my toes (yup, this I was able to do about 4 weeks out of surgery)

being able to use my lap as a lap.....not like some weird ill stable table (I have a lap!)

having my boobs no longer be my crumb/drip tray  (I no longer eat huge amounts, and my boobs aren't as big...no more crumb tray)

crossing my legs

I am now adding to the list:

• Run a 5K non stop
• Get a very cute business suit
• Lear to accessorise

Thanksgiving was fun, we cooked, and cleaned and I was able to eat all the holiday fare without feeling stuffed.  I haven't weighed in, I'll weigh in on Friday.  But I feel good.  I have been fighting a terrible chest cold, so I haven't been at the gym as much as I'd like.....but, this afternoon....back to spin, and tomorrow back to my 5K training.....


Tree is up, and let the Holiday Season begin!

Made it home from Vacation...and today is Thanksgiving.....

So I made it home from vacation....OMG we had such a great time....I felt so much better in my swim suit and just all around....it was pretty awesome...here's a shot of my in our little plunge pool.....

Yes...a little champagne...for sure!

I had a blast, watched what I ate, and enjoyed a few alcoholic bevy's......we worked out every other day, or at least tried to....also there was a lot of walking, getting in and out of the ocean, and swimming.....I can't wait to go back in May.....

On a super positive note, I got invited to an in-person interview in Orlando, yes the job I was super excited about.  So I got home Friday and flew back out on Sunday for Monday interviews.  That is the good.....also the good is that none of my interview suits/business wear fit, I looked like I had borrowed clothes from a fat/frumpy dead aunt!....So I found a black skirt and a twin seater set, and wore that....It sort of worked and at least I looked buiness-like....not NY business, but midwest business....If you guys get my drift....

Interviews went fab....I hope to get an offer soon....if not, oh well...I guess something better will come my way......

Got back late Monday night, and yes....Monday was my 10th wedding anniversary....so my hubs had an entire dinner surprise waiting for me, dinner, table cloth and table set, flowers....oh so nice.....even though by now I was in the throws of a horrible head cold....so I enjoyed his company, being home, and coming down from a total high/anxiety from interview....

So today is Thanksgiving, and we're making an entire meal for just the 2 of us.....seriously, a 14lb turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.....So I'll eat a few bites, and he'll have his normal portion.  I'll have a butt load of leftovers, but I'll make tamales with the leftover turkey....I'll post recipe....they are yummy......

So I got brave and stepped on the scale this morning....I was scared since I hadn't stepped on since I hit 50lbs before vacation....and guess what....I'm down another 2.5lbs!!!!  I am so super excited....I can do this, even with vacation, even with flying and interviews, even with airplane swelling, and getting ready for Thanksgiving......

Now that is something that I am totally thankful for!

I did it, I did it....I hit 50lbs today!!!!

I am so psyched!  I did it, 3 1/2 months out and I am 50.1 lbs down....yes you heard right.....

50.1

I am so happy I can't even stand myself......

On an other happy note, I had a phone interview today that went relatively well....as well as phone interviews can go.  I was a little side swiped because I thought it would be a conversation with the hiring manager, but instead it was a conversation with the entire team.  I guess it'll come down to personalities and see if they felt enough pull to call me in to an in person interview....keep your fingers crossed......

On Sunday we take off for Punta Mita, Mexco.....12 days of chilling in the sun, beach and pool.....I can't wait...in my head I am already there....I'll post pictures for sure.....

Ok back to dancing and feeling proud of myself, and happy about the interview....we'll see!

Floppy Disks???? Sometimes men are so sensitive.....grr

So, I accidentally (well not really) walked into the kitchen naked....I wanted to get a drink and didn't want to get dressed....but that's besides the point....I walked across the living room, in front of my husband and to the kitchen.....his first words are....wow! you are getting smaller every day....so I smile and do a little happy jiggle.....at that exact moment, he canceled out his compliment by starting to chant:

"floppy disks, floppy disks, your boobies look like floppy disks"

Now seriously.....my boobies are going from a 44DD to right now a 40L (long), I could roll them up and re-create a bundle to resemble breasts, they look like socks with stones hanging from them.....ok maybe no that bad....but pretty close.......

So if he thought he was going to get anything/anywhere close to those "floppy disks"...he's just SOL'd for a while....

On the positive...I am going to be flaunting my "floppies" (encased in a swim suit) at the beach next week.  We leave Sunday and have been packed for a week....LOL....I am so ready for a vacation and for the beach....

I'll weigh in on Friday, hopefully I'll be closer to 50 lbs then, or maybe even hit 50lbs....then I won't weigh until I get back from vacation.....my goal is to not gain while on the road....to maintain, and hopefully continue to lose.....

Floppy Disks......humph!

So yesterday was weigh in day....

I was down .8lbs....so still down....and that makes it "almost" 47lbs!  I am so happy....and love being able to be normal and finally have a tool to help me lose weight.

Yesterday was a day full of fun....I had my weekly cellulite treatment (I am "helping" the spa lady learn about how to do it, and I get a free rub down), then I had her wax my brow and lip, since I am going on vacation in 7 days....I am so excited, can't wait to go.....ha!

So she did my lip, then my brows (and she took forever...wanted them perfect)...it was funny, she wanted a new look for my new body, she slimmed them down, and then kept begging me to dye them, that my eyes would "pop" and so I said, sure...go for it...she did it for free....then she kept doing a look over and said, I think I'll wax your chin and your nostrils....I was sort of freaked....but said sure....funny enough, I thought the nostrils were going to kill....and there was absolutely no pain.....OK I do have to deal with the reality that I have a hairy nose....haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

So then I came home, got hubs, went back to the gym to have my Friday afternoon training session.  While waiting in the gym lobby, everyone kept walking in and saying I looked soooooo good.....that I was the incredible shrinking woman....(ha hubs got jealous, since nobody commented on his weight loss)....but it felt good.  This week had felt like a shrinking week, I felt smaller even though the scale didn't match what my brain felt was my loss.....

Anyway....tonight we had mexican fiesta...chorizo with cheese, a little chicken (about 1 oz), 2 bacon wrapped shrimp and half of a tortilla.....I was so stuffed....but it was so yummy....and I can eat...I eat like a skinny biotch! and I feel good about it!

Woooooo hoooooooo

Almond Meal - Sooooo good!

Alright guys, I made this today:
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/breads/r/lowcarbcoffcake.htm

Ingredients:

• 3 cups almond meal
• 1 ½ cups sugar substitute (liquid or powdered, see below)
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup butter (4 Tablespoons), chilled and cut into small pieces
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon each vanilla and almond extracts
• 2 Tablespoons oil
• 6 oz. cream cheese
• Salt
• 1 cup fresh or frozen (but not thawed) blueberries or raspberries

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°. Butter or oil 9X9 inch pan (cooking spray is fine). Coffee cake is prepared in three layers. If you are using a standing mixer, you can use the same bowl if you make the layers in the order listed - just remove them to separate bowls until ready to assemble.
1)Streusel Topping: Mix 1 cup of the almond meal, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ cup sweetener, a pinch of salt and the 4 Tablespoons butter. I find that the whisk type attachment on my standing mixer works well - you want the mixture to stay crumbly. You can use a pastry blender, knives - whatever works. But if it all clumps together, don't worry - just crumble it over the top when the time comes. This is one area where I used to use powdered sweetener, but I have found more recently that my beloved Sweetzfree liquid (zero carbs; no aftertaste) works fine.
2) Cream Cheese Layer: Mix cream cheese, 1 egg, and ¼ cup sweetener. If you want a thinner layer of cream cheese, you can use 4 oz. instead of 6. The mixture won't be as thick and will pour more evenly over the cake layer.
3) Cake layer: Mix dry ingredients: 2 cups of almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, ¼ ½ teaspoon cinnamon, teaspoon salt, and ¾ cup sweetener if you are using a powder. Then add the sour cream, oil, extracts, liquid sweetener if that's what you're using sour cream, and 2 eggs and mix well. At this point, you might want to add 1-2 Tablespoons of water, depending on the consistency. You want the batter to be thick enough to support the rest of it, but not too gloppy - you should be able to spread it easily in the pan. I usually end up adding about a Tablespoon of water.
4) Assembly: Spread the cake layer in the pan, and spread the cream cheese on top (if it's the larger amount of cream cheese, you won't be able to spread it evenly, but that's OK). Then sprinkle the blueberries on the cream cheese and the streusel on the top of that.
5) Bake for about half an hour, or until toothpick not inserted into a berry comes out clean. If you use a thermometer, it should be about 155° F. in the center.
6) Cool and slice. It is filling, so I usually cut it into 16 pieces.
Nutritional Information: For 16 servings, each serving has 3 grams effective carbohydrate plus 2.5 grams fiber, 6 grams protein, and 217 calories.

Seriously....I think this is soooo good....I used apples instead of blueberries....So I made the recipe as is, used low fat cream cheese...and apples but other than that it is as is.....super good....


3 large Gala apples, sliced and powdered with a little splenda and cinnamon....I took 1/3 and mixed with the cake layer, and then between the cream cheese layer and topping, I placed the sliced apples....wow....oh! yeah, the sliced apples for the top layer, I also added 1 TBS of surgar free caramel syrup.....

I sliced my big lasagna pan into 35 squares....and it is almost carb free, and ok, each square is 100 calories, but it hits the spot for sure!  I'll post pictures tomorrow.....

Mid week weigh in...and shopping in my closet.....

So, last night I was packing for a business trip....and I was trying on some of my business clothes, and my husband kept laughing, I look like an idiot in most of my clothes....(the sad thing is that most of them are new, so off to the tailor I'll go when I get back)....so I had to go shopping in my closet....

I went through 3 sizes of pants...1 pair of 26's (yes, not a proud moment), 24's and 22's.....I don't have dress pants in size 20, so I have one pair of 22 sized pants that are still huge, but don't fall off and look like I have drapes on instead of pants....I also found a size 20 skirt that I hadn't worn in years....and it glides on and turns on my body....so....I will be wearing a SKIRT!!!!  my business shirts make me look like a 6 year old wearing daddy's work shirts, the sleeves and the body is so long, and again, they look like I'm wearing a drape.....so I found a couple of cutzy twin sets a red and black....and so yup....you got it, I'll be wearing a skirt with a twin set for my meetings tomorrow......

I also went jean shopping in my closet....I fit into my 20's!!!! wooooooooo hoooo....I feel pretty darned cute, for sure......

So this morning, before I left, I stepped on the scale...since I won't be weighing in on Friday....I am down to 256.9....that is almost 2 lbs since last week!!!!!!!  I am so super excited.....I am gushing and smiling from ear to ear.....

So here I am in LA, and hoping my meetings go well.....wish me luck!......

Pumpkin goodness....as promised

As promised, here is the recipe for pumpkin custard or (crustless pumpkin pie)...it is so good, so low cal, considered a mushy food and it is that season....

Ingredients

• 3 cups canned pumpkin puree (I used about 1 and 1/2 cans of trader joe's pumpkin puree)
• 1 cup Splenda Granular
• 2 cups eggwhites (I used the liquid eggwhites, like eggbeaters)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 cap of vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients together, pour into pie pan (sprayed with PAM). Bake at 450 for 15 minutes, then lower oven to 330 bake for additional 45 minutes or until knife comes out clean

This makes the whole house smell like pumpkin pie....it is officially FALL!

I don't have a pie pan, so I poured it into a square baking dish.

Here are the stats:

For 1/4 of the dish:

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 pie quarters

Amount per Serving

Calories 123

Calories from Fat 7.7

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 0.85g

1%

Saturated Fat 0.08g

0%

Cholesterol 0mg

0%

Sodium 207.59mg

8%

Total Carbohydrate 18.15g

6%

Dietary Fiber 7.89g

31%

Sugars 6.11g

 

Protein 17.04g

34%

By the way, here's a picture of the pumpkin muffins (from eggface's website) I made the other day:

I used chocolate sugar free pudding in the mix so that's why it looks like chocolate filled....So good....