FINDING THE PATH...

I hate when I get like this... 

Uncomfortable and not liking the path I am on...

soooo what do you do...??? 

Me??

 I don't give up I just find a new path.. 

While I think WW is great I feel it is just not for me,.. 

I think it gives me permission to go carb crazy ..

I was doing much better just using my fitness pal and watching calories and carbs..

.I like the way the app works.. 

I don't have to keep creating foods and it takes me a minute to figure things.. 

So .. I have wonderful support.. Great friends  who have been helping me and not to mention my sweet husband... 

I like the things Patricia Kimerling has been connecting me too and the recipes are not too complicated..

I really just want to live instead of worry constantly ... 

So here is to my yet again new ( old) path.. And living!!! 

I also removed a lot of the WW stuff from my feed on FB ... just because so many comments were choices that are not good to me.. I will still visit the pages from time to time for motivation ..but seeing recipes for dump cakes and 123 cakes constantly made me feel like I was linked to a Paula Deen page or something... That's why sooo many of the pages I keep up with are people who eat whole and healthy with treats here and there ..l am not putting WW down its just about what works for me..

I think that's what any true health adventure is.. Finding the right path... 

I talked to another good friend today who shares my struggles and she so understood how I felt..

So it's all good ... I know I keep flitting around since Medifast .. But I just have to find my way.. And I will .. 

Have a great week 

REALIZING.... LEARNED..... ALWAYS MUST...... ACCEPTING... RECOMMITING

REALIZING:    it is one of those sick stomach realizations about yourself.. but you have to take it in .. and realize that this is just part of you.. maybe not your favorite part but it is how you are wired.. so you have to plan a way to live with it... I am talking about old habits.. old  reactions... old actions that creep back into the fold of your life silently.. and you are almost unaware that they are sliding back into your daily habits.. as they sooth and smoothly wrap themselves into your veins yet again..


LEARNED:   I can stop it...  I can  combat it...  I can re focus that energy and reaction to something more beneficial ..


ALWAYS MUST:   Keep Trigger foods out.. ( talk more about that in a minute) .. Healthy choices available at all times for all circumstances. 


ACCEPTING:  THIS IS WHO I AM ..  A GRACIOUS MIX OF INSECURITES AND WEAKNESS.. COMBINED WITH THE DESIRE TO BE HEALTHY AND BETTER.. 


TRIGGER FOODS:  It is a stark realization that a harmless box of crackers can be the devil in drag .  I learned that this week.. I thought I found a friend in Townhouse Pretzel thins ( garlic parmesan )  NO they are no friend of mine and they do not even taste that good... they are processed junk.. my body wants it and wants the whole box...   its gone now... never to cross my threshold again...
It is odd that I can have a few reduced fat wheat thins.. and not think anything of it...  have no interest in them whatsoever.. they are not a trigger food.. but those Townhouse Pretzel Thins sure were a big no no... So No No more  in our house...   I can have Kind quinoa  granola clusters in the house and sprinkle some on my light yogurt.. and its no problem.. I can have other brands in the house.. and the red lights go flashing... and the sirens blare... I just cant leave it alone... Its so ugly and weird.. that I still have trigger foods....  I think the  understanding is always..that I will have to deal with this.. so developing the skills to manage it once and for all ... is what I am doing now... I realize that there are foods that can not come into the house... and its horribly ironic when you go into our downstairs and see our test kitchen.. for our business. and you know that there are freezers full of  cakes, pies,  dough... pastries.. etc.. at any time during the year...  Some how I have managed to turn that off... and know that this in not something I get involved with... therefore its not  issue... but a frigging box of crackers is.. how wacky is that... ??  
  As long as I stay portion controlled with my carbs I seem to do better...   3 servings of fruit a day..  2 servings of light bread a day ..   3 servings of veggies a day .. and protein mixed in ... and a weight watchers ice cream bar as a special treat... the thing I do not understand with myself is how come I can eat one of those ice cream bars.. and it is not a trigger.. 1 and I am fine... I started looking at sugar amounts on  various things.. and I find that when something is higher in sugar I seem to want it more.. when its lower in sugar.. i.e. the kind granola or the WW ice cream bar... I am satisfied with what I get... a portion...   all thought I think its more carb related than just sugar.. I am not huge on really fatty foods... like fries... or things of that nature.. they tend to make me ill so I prefer lower fat foods... so its not the fat content... I tie it too the sugars and carbs.. or really Sugars are Carbs .. so it is one in the same... 
So... My 1 year anniversary is coming up on July 8th... the day I decided to turn my world around.... so that is cause for celebration...  My hope is to knock off another 20 pounds for this year...
 I have also learned that I maintain with in 5 pounds .. fabulously on WW...  now I just have to pull the food in tighter and lessen the carbs and concentrate on veggies and protein a bit more...  to help me get the rest of the weight off.. I also believe working consistently on my portion sizes will help too..
 My recommitment day is JUNE 18th... It sounded like a good date... 


wishing everyone... the ability to Realize...  to Learn... to find their Always Musts... to become Accepting... and to Recommit to yourself... that you are a priority...

THE COLORS OF COLORADO, SWEET HOME ALABAMA

SOOO took my first big road trip since the  weight loss.... 
Eating was an adventure and I will put this firmly in concrete I much prefer being at home in my own environment when it comes to food...
I totally enjoy  creating our meals...  I like knowing what is and is not in my food..  I like being in control of my portion sizes and measuring if need be.  I like the portion controlled servings I have around my kitchen...


While I am a great eyeballer.. I just prefer the comfort of my own environment...  That is not to say I did not have a great adventure mind you... So let me break it down for you..


We left at 3 am   ... heading down the road in the Miata.. ( color us crazy but that was what we wanted to do ) .. As we approached  Cullman Al.. we ran into a bit of a twist... we hit a tire recap in the road ( commonly known in these parts as a road gator) .. it broke off half the front spoiler sending that flying under the car... denting the heat shield( found that out that this week when we had the repair estimate done)  and knocking brackets loose.. as well as some plastic parts on the back of the car....  SOOO we turned that vehicle around.. drove 70 miles back home... parked her in the garage loaded up the Cx9 and headed off yet again...


For the most part the ride from Alabama to Colorado was uneventful other than a couple hiccups with the GPS..  the road conditions where decent...  the traffic was  heavy in St Louis.. in fact as we were heading towards Kansas City ... we came upon a shoot out... It honestly looked like something you would see on Law and Order or any one of those police shows...  Multiple cop cars with  cops all over the place .. guns drawn .. German sheperds with their partners tracking... Cops running back and forth... this was right off the interstate and it was very surrealistic to see..   Otherwise we hit a few rain patches...  Got to Topeka the first night and camped out at a Ramada Inn...   Headed on to Colorado the next day ...  and arrived safely .. right as we pulled into the parking lot of the Hotel.. our GPS crapped out.. totally... Thank heavens for WAZE  on our phones.. it got us back home safe the following week..  


 Once in Colorado we settled down and got busy getting ready for the IDDBA...  International Dairy Deli Bakery Association Convention...  lets just say its a room the length of  3 or so football fields  .. loaded with every type of food .. you can imagine.. Cheeses,  Pizza,  Deli Meats .. pastries... cookies... candies...  sandwiches.. etc..in the mix of the not so healthy were some good choices ..but a few times I just had to walk out ..sit in the lobby and regroup...

This gives you an idea ...

We also saw this GORGEOUSNESS :

We left Colorado a week ago and arrived home safely to rainy SWEET HOME ALABAMA.. A beautiful trip ..but glad to be back home...

A little motivation for our weekend :

BRAIN AND HUNGER GAMES !!!!

Soo we have you ever stopped and thought for a moment... WHY am I so HUNGRY??      You know you just ate.. but you are still getting those hunger messages...  my theory is... If you know you just recently ate... and yet you still are getting that signal.. you know the one... like a Pinball machine.. the ding ding... flashing lights... sreaming EAT ME!!!! EAT ANYTHING!!!!!!  so  I was going through this this weekend...  and I discovered that if I was not hungry enough to eat a carrot or an apple.. I was not hungry.. I was BORED...  of if the Buzzers are BUZZING... try and quench the Hunger with water or  a diet beverage of your choice... did it miraculously go away ??????   it just might have been a thirst issue not an actual hunger issue...   I also had another epiphany.. I was not eating enough... PROTEIN....   where did this epiphany come from...??  tonight I ate some lean beef.. Super LEAN beef   Laura's Lean beef ... ( found it at walmart) ... and I ate 1.5 oz of Spicy honey Chicken breast.. both freshly grilled..  when I ate that protein.. it was like.. BAM  BAM BAM in my head.. these flashing signals said.. YEP that is it... THAT IS WHAT I NEED...  You finally got it right... I did not want carbs... I wanted pure protein...   guess what... I am not hungry... ... I am not kitchen surfing...  I am not perusing... I am comfortable.... I finally listened to my body...

 SO my thinking is.. and I am sure most of us know this... all the signals we get that light up in our brain regarding food... or those hunger signals... its all like a game... Like a big pinball game... a game we have to figure out the best path to win.. and really ring those bells.... Those bells that tell you .. you are satisfied... you listened ... to what your body needed..    I am going to pay attention more to my protein intake..  I don't think there was a stitch of fat on that beef.. and  while it was chewy it was so tasty..    I do not eat meat a lot.. maybe every other week...   but this sure hit the spot at least for me...   I am really glad I am starting to learn this.. I never mastered it on on MF... I just ate what I could eat on MF... now I am trying to pick up on my body and what it is telling me it needs... Most of the time our bodies are not going to say.. Feed me  a Frosty... or a Ding Dong.. or a Pizza.. that is our brain being teased by an ad or product we might have seen...  So my  theory is ... when you get those signals.. try feeding them  water first.. then try a  piece of fruit or some raw veggies..... if you are not satisfied with the crunch of a carrot or an apple... if you totally turn your nose up at that... and nothing healthy appeals to you.... Check your  level of activity.. are you bored..????.   If so....Then go do someting that does not involve the kitchen..  

Its all in the brain.. those hunger games...  stratigize like you would if you were playing a game... think out a plan.... so you are prepared...  Always remember no matter what you are in charge.... 
So you are invited over to someone's houe and you just had a great lunch.... Go visit your friend but tell them you just ate... .. ( if they get offended... welllll... they need to put their big girl or boy panties on... and get the hell over it ..)  You are the boss of you... no one forces you eat...  You do not have to accept that challenge... be prepared... 

Be ready for the Brain and Hunger Games...

Rock the WEEK coming up !!!  

YOU ARE A HABITUAL DIETER AND YOU KNOW IT!!!

SO ... IF YOU DO NOT LOSE 10 POUNDS EVERY WEEK..... YOU ARE A COMPLETE FAILURE ... YOU ARE A SCAB ON HUMANITIES BUTT....??????    

OHHHHHH  BACK FAT... LOOK AT MY BACK FAT... I AM A MONSTER.. ... I AM UNATTRACTIVE...  ( yet when you weigh your weight is perfect for your height your body is a just a little more mature now... and your skin might not be as tight as it once was... ) 

ERRRGHHHHHHHHH !  SIZE 2 I MUST BE A SIZE TWO.. OR BETTER YET I NEED TO BE A ZERO.. yes.. IF I AM A ZERO ALL WILL BE RIGHT WITH THE WORLD...  ( hell if i was a zero chances are I would be considered dead... a Zero.. you really want to strive for a Zero???? )   if normally you are that tiny then thats awesome.. but if you are a size 20 W AND 5FT 5  .. TAKE OFF THE  WHIRLY GLASSES AND GET REAL! .. 

WHOAHHHHHH ....  

That my friends is a bit excessive but  I am sadly sure many of you Can appreciate those comments.. People hunger for  that quick fix... that  way to get the weight off so fast...  and then they turn around ... and  non of the old issues are fixed so the weight "magically" reappears...... RIGGGGHHHT??? magically reappears... I dont know how I gained it back.. I dont know what happened??    
WELLL  I am here to shake it up a bit... the weight did not magically reappear... your eating was not the most healthiest .. your exercise went in the crapper.. and you  went back to your old habit of comfort.. like worn out sneakers.. or baggy pair of sweat pants... you went back to the old you.... it is simple... it happens... So you think fresh and  start again...  
the thing is it does not matter how many times you start just as long as you keep at it... and keep trying...

Be realistic...  Find a program that suites you and do not blame the  program if you do not lose 10 pounds a week.. ( which somehow in your  brain you think.. is suppose to happen)...  
Ask any doctor  and he will say  1-2 pounds a week .. is healthy... even a half a pound a week is healthy... if you lose a pound a week... you will loose 52 pounds in a year... and that my dear is perfect...  Stop looking for miracles... Find your path.. get off the HABITUAL DIET SHIP... only you can make any program work...  
I get so annoyed at people who say WW does not work.... the reason is... YOU DO NOT WORK~!!!! you are not following the program the way you should be...  if you really examine things.. and really look deep down.. thats the only reason any program does not work... IF you have 26 daily points ... it does not mean eat those points in FRITOS... or PIZZA .. or Cake...  it means eat well balanced small to moderate meals through out the day with a couple or 3 snacks thrown in based on your daily point allowance... You have weekly points to be used at your discretion.. THIS IS NOT A SIN.. they are there for a reason.... you have activity points too... again to be used if you want... IT IS NOT WRONG TO USE THOSE POINTS... hell even I got sucked into the void of   OHHHH I AM TERRIBLE IF I USE MY WEEKLY OR ACTIVITY POINTS..  I am such a failure.. well oddly enough by using those other points the scale is getting a little jiggy and I am losing a little weight again.. my engine is pumping again.. yay ... WW allows you to decide with in those certain number of points what works for you.. So some days I high it.. Some days I low it.. just depends... I am learning what works for me on this.. my Last program...on the Diet train.. I have decided not to become a habitual dieter.. I have decided to live free... live life.. enjoy myself... and just..

JUST BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY  DAMNIT! ... 
thats what you should do .. if you ask me... quit worrying about what you are not... and how far you have to go...
 Just get busy.. and it will all happen in good time..
Find your path... Find your way...  
DO NOT BECOME A HABITUAL DIETER... become  a HABITUAL  LIFE LIVER! 

YOU DECIDE WHETHER YOU SUCCEED OR NOT

It is so easy to forget who is the one in charge of your choices...

Day in and day out we are surrounded by choices we have to make . 

What to wear .. how to fix our hair, what make up to use,  which route to take to school or work... what job around the house to tackle first..

For those of us.. working on improving our lives by getting healthier.. losing weight and keeping it off.. this Statement is so true. 

It is so easy to forget who is the one in charge of your choices... You are... I am in charge of my choices all of them..

No one is forcing you to eat... Those are your choices... 
In our concrete visual world  temptation is always there... and we can come with any excuse to make a day  "special"...  ( special in the sense of choosing to eat something we would not ordinarily eat ) .. that being said... when it comes to WW ... the constant message  that they try to promote but it appears to always fall on deaf ears... ..

 Is that NO FOOD is off limits...

 it is all about the choices you make..
 
Now granted I am not saying every day go have a walloping slice of cake for heavens sake...  but on those occasions when the trail of life leads you to a bend in the road you were not expecting.. You have that choice... and that choice is not BAD or GOOD... I see so many people saying... I am so BAD.... I CHEATED all WEEKEND... 

  It is a sad state of affairs when WW is looked at merely as a diet.. because if you spend time reading and really learning the program.. not being a policeman about points but really learning the program.. ( which I am learning now) ... then you see it  is a foundation for a  HEALTHY balanced meal plan..

THE thing is ... it gives you that MAGIC WORD.....

 CHOICES..

 only you are in control of that... 
 
My feelings are that if you basically stay with in your daily points... and indulge in a little extra every now and then... then the program.. is easy peasy...  hence why you have the extra 49 points... you can use them daily   7 points a day .. or save for a upcoming event you might have on the weekend when you know those will come in handy...

Personally I try and not use them at all..

We also have a great tool  ... tracking...  by logging OUR food daily .. WE can be confident WE are staying with in our points...  to help US lose weight.. now I have not tried the SS program.. because I like choices.. and  PP works better for me I hope... I might try SS ... one never knows with me ... lol...

My weight loss has not been stellar on WW because I lost over 50 pounds on Medifast  July 8th 2013- Mid Feb.  ... and got off about that time due to digestive issues.. I tried for 2 months on my own.. and finally  decided WW was a good place for me to be to learn how to eat.. and be comfortable with food again.. while finishing up what I started and losing the last 20 pounds that are ohh so stubborn .. I weigh again this Thursday and my hope is to see a pound off...  ..

 I often give a simple piece of advice to the support group I belong to  and tell folks .. to try and get out of the old mindset that WW is a diet...  to me.. You go on a diet and get off of a diet... WW is about learning how to eat... and be accountable for that.   I do not think  BAD or GOOD should be in the equation ....   It is simply a choice you made in the moment.. and choices are okay... it is not a signal of your self worth ...

So .. it is Monday and in my world.. it is prep time for a Food Show... Tues and Weds.. most of you know I work in the food business.. ( ironically ) ... it is tough.. but I do my best in the last couple weeks since I started WW to track what I eat.. Good or BAD......... DAMN  look... even I did it... lets try that again....  I DO MY BEST TO TRACK MY FOOD BASED ON WHATEVER CHOICE I MADE IN THAT MOMENT....

First thing in the morning I  try and  plan my food for the day .. Sometimes I can and sometimes something comes up and I have to shift things around.. but logging your food and activity is the most awesome tool you have.. lets face it..when you do not keep track you are only harming yourself..no one else is affected but you... it might take courage to be honest.. but the person you are trying to be honest to is yourself.. It took me a while to get that courageous.. I guess I thought well if I don't log it .. it did not happen lol...

So the bottom line for all of us.. on any program ...  is simple... YOU ( WE)... (ME) ( I) DECIDE WHETHER I SUCCEED OR NOT... AND SO DO YOU !

GET BUSY COOKING

OKAY SO I AM GOING TO DO MY BEST TO GET THESE RECIPES OUT  AND ABOUT .. HOPE YOU LIKE THEM... 


APPLE SALAD... EASY EASY 

1 APPLE OF YOUR CHOICE

WALNUTS  ( ABOUT A TABLESPOON CHOP FINE)  

  2 TABLESPOONS LOWFAT GRANOLA  PREFERABLY LOCALLY OR NEAR LOCALLY MADE IF POSSIBLE   ~  CHECK CALORIES AND AND FAT /FIBER/PROTEIN ...

A TON OF CINNAMON..OKAY ONLY KIDDING BUT USE CINNAMON TO YOUR TASTE I LOVE A LOT.. SPICEY ME... I USE SIAGON CINNAMON

I USE SWERVE SWEETNER... ITS MY FAV AND MEAUSURES LIKE SUGAR WHILE BEING CALORIE FREE... I ORDER IT FROM AMAZON..

( RIGHT NOW I AM USING A WHEAT FREE GRANOLA.. NO REASON.. JUST FOUND IT... AND ITS LIGHT ON THE SUGAR) 

SO LIKE I SAID .. ITS EASYY!!!!!!

CHOP UP APPLE.. LEAVE SKIN ON

PUT IN A BOWL 

ADD GRANOLA

ADD  WALNUTS

ADD CINNAMON UNTIL YOUR HEARTS CONTENT

ADD A LITTLE BIT OF SWERVE OR SWEETNER OF YOUR CHOICE OR   GO COMANDO... 

NO SWEETNER AT ALL   ....  

MIX WELL..  TAKE SPOON AND EAT... YUMMY

ALL YOU HAVE TO COUNT IS THE WALNUTS AND  GRANOLA  2 POINTS.. YUM AND FILLING!!!


OKAY THE NEXT RECIPE IS A BIT MORE COMPLICATED BUT STILL EASY..

I FOUND THIS RECIPE ONLINE AND PLAYED WITH IT A BIT...  
A GREAT WEBSITE IS  THE SCIENCE OF EATING...  ( not sure if this site is back up as they were having server work done) ...  LALOOSH is another great website .. google it ... 

SO  here we go....... GET ONE BUNCH FRESH SPINACH OR ONE BAG OF BABY SPINACH...  RINSE AND SAUTE WITH  VIDALLIA ONION OR ANY SWEET ONION AND FRESH GARLIC... TO YOUR TASTE..

ONE LARGE HEAD OF CAULIFLOWER AND BREAK UP INTO FLORETS... PUT IN  POT WITH WATER AND  BOIL UNTIL FORK TENDER.. AND DRAIN WATER ( YOU CAN BOIL IN BROTH IF YOU WANT ..)   


WHILE YOUR CAULIFLOWER IS  COOKING..

PAN UP 3 PIECES OF TURKEY BACON UNTIL CRISPY OR TO YOUR LIKING..

PAT BACON UNTIL DRY..

CRUMBLE BACON UP AND SET ASIDE  

ONCE CAULIFLOWER IS DONE...  DRAIN... ADD COOKED SPINACH

ADD 1 CONTAINER OF FAGE  0 FAT  GREEK YOGURT.. OR PLAIN GREEK YOGURT OF YOUR CHOICE...  

ADD 1/2 CUP SHREDDED PARMASEAN CHEESE

ADD TURKEY BACON  

SEASON TO TASTE 

I LIKE TO ADD 2 AND 1/2 TEASPOONS OF  BETTER THAN BULLION FOR FLAVOR... 

I USE A HAND HELD IMMERSION BLENDER AND MIX EVERYTHING ALL UP..  I LOVE WATCHING THE SPINACH AND YOGURT AND CAULIFLOWER BLENDING...

SEASON TO TASTE... AND THIS  SIDE DISH IS YUMMY .. SOMETIMES I USE IT AS AN ENTREE TOO... 

ENTER INGREDIENTS IN PP CALCULATOR  ... I COUNT THE YOGURT, AND THE PARMESEAN CHEESE.. AND USUALLY END UP WITH  2 POINTS...  THIS RECIPE SERVES 2-6 PEOPLE DEPENDING ON SIZE OF CAULIFLOWER.. 

THIS RECIPE IS ADAPTED FROM  THE SCIENCE OF EATING.. THEY RECCOMEND  USE KALE INSTEAD OF SPINACH BUT SAY THAT YOU CAN USE SPINACH IN ITS PLACE... 

*****Be forwarned I like to over estimate points too... just for my safety sakes..

Tommorow night we are going to experiment making Honey Spiced Chicken thighs a bit different.... we are going to take a whole chicken ( Paula Deen Chickens./ Springer Mountain Farms . shockingly are the best  most delicious whole birds we have used... all natural.. not pumped and absolutely delicious)  SO tommorow night we are going to make the sauce and baste the whole bird and either grill or  roast.  This recipe came to me via way of Steve's daughter...  and it amazing.. 

I figure points out when I add the dinner to my tracker... I count 2 chicken wings ( thats what I like ) .. and then I count the honey... 

Here is recipe..  from BUDGET BYTES..adapted from Cooking Light.

Honey Spice Chicken Thighs

It

4.9 from 7reviews

honey spice chicken thighs

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Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

40 mins

Total time

50 mins

Author: Adapted from Cooking Light

Total Cost: $5.13

Cost Per Serving: $0.64

Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 8 (4 lbs.) chicken thighs $4.16
• ⅓ cup honey $0.59
• 1 Tbsp cider vinegar $0.06
• 1 Tbsp chili powder $0.15
• ½ Tbsp garlic powder $0.08
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika $0.02
• ½ tsp cumin $0.03
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper $0.02
• 1 tsp salt $0.02

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine everything except the chicken thighs (honey, cider vinegar, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, cumin, and salt). Stir until combined.
2. Remove the skin from the chicken thighs if desired. Place the chicken thighs either on a roasting pan or a baking sheet covered with foil. A roasting pan can be simulated by placing wire cooling racks over a baking sheet to allow juices to fall below the chicken. Brush the honey spice mixture over the surface of the chicken thighs, using about half of the total honey mixture.
3. Place the chicken thighs in the fully preheated oven. Roast for about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken thighs from the oven and use the remaining honey spice mixture to brush on a second coat. Return the chicken to the oven and roast for another 20 minutes. Serve hot.

Notes

Do not brush any of the honey spice mixture onto the chicken after it is finished cooking because it is contaminated with raw chicken. Use all of it prior to the last 20 minutes of cooking.

and that my friends is all I have for now...

Just some of my favorite recent recipes...  

The only original recipe  included is   the Apple Salad.. that is proudly my creation..  after going having lunch at a local organic cafe.. and having their version which had honey and other sweet things in it... I changed it up a bit.. and created the Apple Salad... actually there is nothing green it.. so can it still be a salad.. lol... hmmm for now it is...