I do shop the marked down meats, and I stock up on sales. I guess to me it seems more expensive because I make a lot of casseroles and soups with lots of starches and not much meat. That's always been my comfort food. If I do just meat and veggies it would cost more. We eat a lot of hamburger in casseroles. I don't mind eating a hamburger patty every night, but my dh would get tired of it. I've been thinking about it today and decided that maybe I just won't do as many casseroles. I guess I could do more of stir fry type things too. I told my dh I wanted to make me a cheesecake and he said that would be a waste because then the rest of the family would only get little slices of "their" cheesecake and I'd get one all to myself. Geesh, I can't seem to win. I've thought about passing off a low carb one on him, but he's pretty sensitive to sugar replacements and can usually taste the difference. Right now I'm making chocolate chip cookies for the family. So, I don't mind making them one thing and me another, and if my dh would think about it he'd realize that I'm giving up a lot of things that I still make for them, like the 6 loaves of homemade bread I make every week for my dh sandwiches, the cakes, cookies biscuits and cornbread. I'm still cooking for the family. We have a 16 yr old boy, an 8 yr old boy and a 6 yr old girl still at home, we have two others that are on their own now. You're right, we don't eat prime rib often, my dh took me out for a treat.

Songberrie

Wow, Songberrie, you do have a handful there. Have you checked out the recipe board and forums here? There are a ton of LC recipes, and tons of casserole recipes. Also check out the Atkins site (www.atkinscenter.com) for recipes. There are a lot of things you can put into a casserole other than potatoes and noodles.

You might just have to lay down the law to DH, as hard as that sounds. You say he supports you (I think you said the LC "was the only diet he thinks I should do), and yet his actions don't sound very supportive. This is your life and your health. Please excuse me if I'm getting too personal, but I see from your stats that you're around 300 pounds. You really need to get a handle on your weight before it causes serious health issues. Is DH in need of a low-carb lifestyle change also?

I say sneak it in. He wants real cheesecake? Fine. Make him a real cheesecake, but substitute Splenda (or SF flavored syrup) for half the sugar. Then next time, make it more Splenda and even less sugar. Pretty soon he'll be eating your low-carb desserts and not knowing the difference.

Try some new recipes. Any "diet" can get boring if you eat the same things every day. Mix it up. Try new recipes. You (and he) might be pleasantly surprised!

Hi again-
Ewinpa-yes, the prisms are jagged lines but also have rainbow colors as if you are looking thru a prism.
Still feeling a little shakey this afternoon-will probably snack on some almonds.

Songberrie-we also are on a fairly tight budget. I just gradually stopped adding potatoes, rice, pasta, etc.. a little at a time and now the kids dont even seem to miss them. You can also make a cheesecake and freeze the whole thing and just get out "your little slice" while the rest of the family is having "their little slices". Also, tell DH that you need to do this for your health in order to continue taking care of all that you do

Off again to do my nails for tonight

Your right, I need to just tell him this is the way for me to do it. Sometimes they will get treats, sometimes I get treats sometimes we all get treats. I love your idea of gradually reducing the sugar. I hadn't even thought of that! My dh has always been under weight, I've never had that problem, right now he's about the right weight. He doesn't really want to do low carb, but I've been adding more breakfasts meats for him so he doesn't feel left out. I have been really lucky that I haven't had any health problems because of my weight, but someone inspired me to loose weight again on a low carb diet. My dh old boss lost 80 lbs, and when I saw him, all I could think was, this is someone who loves food as much as me, and he did it, so I know I can. I decided not to think about it and just do it. I think it's easier now than when I did it a few years ago. It's more common, even fast food restaurants feature low carb burgers, and there are products in the store too.

I just read in a fitness magazine that they found that people that snacked on almonds everyday lost more weight than those that didn't. They thought it was something in the almonds that blocks the starch. I thought that was interesting. I'm going to have to get me some.

I've been listening to this tip show, and I can't remember who said they were going to go do their nails, but the show said to paint your nails with vinegar, let it dry then apply your polish, your polish will last longer.

I appreciate your support, I have a lot to loose, but I know I can do it!

Songberrie