Sunday, January 30, 2011

Done with Round 3 Phase 2

Well I am done with my drops. I did a 27 day round. It went really quick and I think I liked this smaller round then my larger, average rounds of 54 days. In 27 days, I released 25 lbs. I came so close to my goal of being in the 80's. My LDW is 190. Not too bad. Hopefully by after round 4 I will be in the 70's. I am on day 2 of my VLCD w/o drops and so far so good. I have my menu planned for the whole 3 weeks of phase 3, round 3. Maybe I will post what I eat each day. Tomorrow I will start prepping my food. I hope everyone else is doing great. I need to do my measurements, will do them tomorrow.
Happy Releases everyone!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Round 3 Phase 2 Day 25

Not much happening today. I only released .02ozs, yet at least it is a release, right. I am so close to being in the 80's as of right now I am 191.2. I only have until Friday. Friday is my LDW and then Sat, Sun and Mon is 500 cal without HCG. So here is hoping I can get into the 180's.

Cinnamon Apple Chips

1 apple, sliced very thin
sprinkling of celtic sea salt
sprinkling of Vietnamese cinnamon
mini dash of nutmeg

To play tricks on your eyes, slice your apple thin. Leaving you with a huge pile of apples. Plate them and sprinkle with a bit of sea salt, cinnamon and nutmeg as you wish. Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Phase 3 Recipes

Mock French Toast

Serving: 2

1 Egg
4 Egg Whites
1/4 cup Ricotta Cheese

1/2 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Stevia

Sprinkle of Cinnamon

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and pour like pancakes on a hot skillet.



Chocolate Peanut Butter Frozen Treat

2 frozen sugar free fudge bars
1 TBSP sugar-free Cool Whip
1.5 TBSP natural peanut butter

Melt the bars in the microwave until soft but not runny (two bars about 30 seconds) Add Cool Whip and stir.Pour into 3 tiny dishes.Add chunks of peanut butter equally in each cup to create a Ben & Jerry texture.Refreeze at least 30 minutes.

Keeps in freezer if covered for 5 days.

Chocolate Almond Ricotta Cheesecake

15 ounces of ricotta cheese
4 whole eggs
1 cup of Stevia
/3 cup half-and-half
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons almond extract
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place all ingredients in a food processor and allow to blend for about 5 minutes - this will allow the ingredients enough time to become very smooth - even the grainiest ricotta. Spray pan with Pam, being sure to spray the sides and bottom. Bake 30-45 minutes until set. I double the recipe and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes and use a medium spring form pan. Turn off oven and let sit in oven for 1 hour until it cools. Enjoy!

Vegetable Quiche Bars

Serving: 6

1lb pk Broccoli, chopped (defrosted or steamed)
1/4 cup Red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup Onion, chopped
4 Eggs
3/4 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together all of ingredients. Pour mixture into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with olive oil. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes. Allow to cool. Slice into 6 bars.


We had this for breakfast this morning and it was really yummy. Kids loved it so I thought I would share.
Stuffed Mexican Pie

Servings: 6

¨ 2 lbs. ground meat, cooked & drained (use ground sirloin,
or ground white meat turkey or a combination of any two.
¨ 1/2 cup chopped onions
¨ 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
¨ 2 teaspoons chili powder
¨ 8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
¨ 8 oz. can tomato sauce
¨ 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
¨ 1/2 cup + 1 Tablespoon sour cream
¨ 1 egg white, beaten stiff

Place meat, onion, pepper, sauce, garlic & chili powder in skillet. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes. Spray 8x8 pan with Pam (or grease). Put meat mixture in pan. Beat together cheese, sour cream and egg white and put on top of meat mixture. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes
FLAX SEED MEAL PANCAKE

Serving: 1 (2 big pancakes)

2 Eggs
3 TBS ground Flax seed
1 TBS Psyllium Husks
1/8 tsp Salt
2 pks Stevia (or your sugar preference)
1 tsp Baking powder
Dash Vanilla

Stir all together until combined, let sit a couple of minutes to thicken, add a couple tsps of water if you think it's too thick. Pour into sprayed skillet and brown on both sides. Serve with sugar-free maple syrup.


Crustless Chedder Broccoli Quiche

Servings: 6

1 tsp Olive oil
1/4 cup Onion, finely chopped
1 pk (10 ozs) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed, drained
8 Eggs
1/2 cup Cottage cheese
1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
1/8 tsp Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees:

Heat oil in small nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add onions, cook 5 minutes or until onions are tender, stirring occasionally. Add broccoli, mix well. Spoon into 9" pie plate, sprayed with cooking spray.
Mix remaining ingredients until well blended, pour over broccoli layer. Bake 45 - 50 minutes or until center is set and top is golden brown.

Some Good Phase 4 Recipes

Chocolate peanut butter cookies

1 TBSP Peanut Butter
1/3 cup Oatmeal
1 pkg. Swiss Miss No Sugar Added Hot Cocoa
1/4 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 scoop protein powder

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes. Makes 6 cookies, which equals one MEAL (one serving carb/one serving protein).

I take these along when I know I will be going to town. They are great as you feel you are having dessert yet it is a meal. They do not taste like normal cookies, yet I love them. Give them a try.

Crockpot Meatloaf
Servings 8

1 1/2 lb uncooked lean ground beef (with 7% fat)
1 egg
1 c chopped onion(s)
4 slices whole wheat bread, torn into small pieces.
2 tsp mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 c sugar-free ketchup
cooking spray
Spray crockpot with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Shape mixture into a ball and place in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours.

Crockpot Chili Chicken

6 servings

¨ 1 lb boneless chicken breasts
¨ 15 oz can black beans, rinsed & drained
¨ 8 oz jar salsa, or more to taste
¨ 4 oz can chopped green chilies
¨ optional shredded low-fat cheese
¨ sour cream

Arrange chicken, beans, salsa and chilies in crockpot. Cook until chicken is tender. Serve with cheese and sour cream.

Mexican Lasagna
6-8 servings
¨ 1 1/2 pounds extra-lean ground beef
¨ salt and pepper to taste
¨ 1 1/4-ounce package taco seasoning mix
¨ 15 ounces ricotta cheese
¨ 1/4 cup sour cream
¨ 27 ounces canned whole green chilies (drain and reserve 2
tablespoons canned juice)
¨ 2 tablespoons Tabasco sauce
¨ 4 6-inch, low-carb tortillas
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season the meat with a little salt and
pepper. In a skillet over medium heat, break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until browned. Drain off the grease. Stir in the taco seasoning mix and enough water to make a paste. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the ricotta cheese, sour cream, reserved chili juice, Tabasco sauce, and 1/2 cup water. Spread a little of the mixture to cover the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking pan. Cover the sauce with a layer of tortillas, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle the meat mixture evenly over the entire base. Cover with a single layer of whole green chilies and pour the remaining sauce on top. Bake 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

I made this tonight and it was yummy! My kids kept on asking for more.

HEALTHY CAKE IN A CUP

1 scoop of Protein powder
1/3 cup Oatmeal (ground or whole)
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Vanilla
2 TBS of Stevia (or sugar substitute)
1/2 cup Water (adjust so that you have a cake batter texture)
1 TBS cocoa powder or Peanut butter (optional)

1. Mix all of the ingredients together in a 2-3 cup glass or ceramic container.
2. Microwave the mix for 2 minutes on high. The "cake" will climb the sides of the container, so you might want to put a plate underneath it.
3. Wait for the cake to cool and deflate to normal size. Ignore the lopsided look of the cake and dig in.

Top it off with Sugar-free maple syrup or Cream Cheese Topping

Cream Cheese Topping

1/3 cup Cream Cheese
1 TBS Lemon juice
1 TBS Stevia (or sugar substitute)

Mix together.

This can be counted as a meal or a snack.


Black Bean Brownies

1 15 oz can of Unseasoned Black beans - drained and rinsed
4 Eggs
1 cup Stevia


3 TBS Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Baking Powder
2 TBS Oil (olive oil is good)
1 TBS Vanilla
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 cup Cream Cheese
chopped nuts - optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend very, very well. Pour into an 8x8 baking pan sprayed with cooking spray or oiled with canola or olive oil. Bake for 30-40 minutes. (til toothpick pulls out clean)


Banana Loaf

1 cup oatmeal
2/3 cup powdered milk
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp vanilla
5 tsp stevia
8 egg whites
2 scoops protein powder
2 pureed bananas
2 Tbs chopped nuts (optional)

Makes 3 small loaves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together and divide into 3 small loaf pans. Spray the pans with pam first. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes if pans are dark or non-stick. Bake for 30 minutes if glass. Enjoy warm or save for later.

These are great if you want a snack or even a meal on the go! I love having a bunch of these around.



Chocolate Peanut Butter Frozen Treat

2 frozen sugar free fudge bars
1 TBSP sugar-free Cool Whip
1.5 TBSP natural peanut butter

Melt the bars in the microwave until soft but not runny (two bars about 30 seconds) Add Cool Whip and stir.Pour into 3 tiny dishes.Add chunks of peanut butter equally in each cup to create a Ben & Jerry texture.Refreeze at least 30 minutes.

Keeps in freezer if covered for 5 days.

Goals


I have notice that around this time of year is when people start giving into temptations and their goals for weightloss and fitness starts to decrease. In order to stay motivated, it helps to have a group of people supporting you, yet they can not do it alone. You also have to participate. Keep making goals. Tell others about them so they can check up on how you are doing. Plan your meals, plan your exercise program. This is about lifestyle changes. Not just about loosing weight and then going back to the way your were before. That is called the "yo-yo" diet. Excuses...we are too busy, we don't have the money, I am too tired, it can go on and on, yet there is NO excuse if you really want to change your life and become healthier. Start small, yet start and then keep going.

My goal date is June and then once June comes around, another goal will be chosen. Once I get to the weight I want, then I will make goals to stay that weight, get toner and stronger.
If we don't make goal, write them down and keep them, then we will fail.
What are you going to do?

Aspartame and MS - The Silent Killer

Aspartame and MS - The Silent Killer

I am posting this article because it got me thinking. A dear friend of mine was admitted to the hospital because of slurred speech, blurred vision, massive headache,etc. They thought this person was having a stroke yet could not find a bleeder. The more I thought about this the more I believe this is what this person has (aspartame poisoning), as this person is a heavy soda drinker.

Please Read:

Aspartame
World Environmental Conference and the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation F.D.A. issuing for collusion with Monsanto
Article written by Nancy Markle (1120197)
I have spent several days lecturing at the WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE on "ASPARTAME marketed as 'NutraSweet', 'Equal', and 'Spoonful"'.
In the keynote address by the EPA, they announced that there was an epidemic of multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus, and they did not understand what toxin was causing this to be rampant across the United States. I explained that I was there to lecture on exactly that subject.
When the temperature of Aspartame exceeds 86 degrees F, the wood alcohol in ASPARTAME converts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis. (Formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants). The methanol toxicity mimics multiple sclerosis; thus people were being diagnosed with having multiple sclerosis in error.
The multiple sclerosis is not a death sentence, where methanol toxicity is. In the case of systemic lupus, we are finding it has become almost as rampant as multiple sclerosis, especially with Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi drinkers.
Also, with methanol toxicity, the victims usually drink three to four 12oz. cans of them per day, some even more. In the cases of systemic lupus, which is triggered by ASPARTAME, the victim usually does not know that the aspartame is the culprit. The victim continues its use aggravating the lupus to such a degree, that sometimes it becomes life threatening. When we get people off the aspartame, those with systemic lupus usually become symptomatic.
Unfortunately, we cannot reverse this disease.
On the other hand, in the case of those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, (when in reality, the disease is methanol toxicity), most of the symptoms disappear. We have seen cases where their vision has returned and even their hearing has returned. This also applies to cases of tinnitus.
During a lecture I said "If you are using ASPARTAME (NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc.) and you suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms, spasms, shooting pains, numbness in your legs, cramps, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, joint pain, depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision, or memory loss, you probably have ASPARTAME DISEASE!"
People were jumping up during the lecture saying, "I've got this, is it reversible?" It is rampant. Some of the speakers at my lecture even were suffering from these symptoms. In one lecture attended by the Ambassador of Uganda, he told us that their sugar industry is adding aspartame! He continued by saying that one of the industry leader's son could no longer walk - due in part by product usage!
We have a very serious problem. Even a stranger came up to Dr. Espisto (one of my speakers) and myself and said, 'Could you tell me why so many people seem to be coming down with MS? During a visit to a hospice, a nurse said that six of her friends, who were heavy Diet Coke addicts, had all been diagnosed with MS. This is beyond coincidence.
Here is the problem. There were Congressional Hearings when aspartame was included in 100 different products. Since this initial hearing, there have been two subsequent hearings, but to no avail. Nothing has been done.
The drug and chemical lobbies have very deep pockets. Now there are over 5,000 products containing this chemical, and the PATENT HAS EXPIRED!!!!!
At the time of this first hearing, people were going blind. The methanol in the aspartame converts to formaldehyde in the retina of the eye.
Formaldehyde is grouped in the same class of drugs as cyanide and arsenic - DEADLY POISONS!!!
Unfortunately, it just takes longer to quietly kill, but it is killing people and causing all kinds of neurological problems.
Aspartame changes the brain's chemistry. It is the reason for severe seizures. This drug changes the dopamine level in the brain. Imagine what this drug does to patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease. This drug also causes Birth Defects.
There is absolutely no reason to take this product. It is NOT A DIET PRODUCT!!! The Congressional record said, "It makes you crave carbohydrates and will make you FAT". Dr. Roberts stated that when he got patients off aspartame, their average weight loss was 19 pounds per person. The formaldehyde stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs. Aspartame is especially deadly for diabetics. All physicians know what wood alcohol will do to a diabetic. We find that physicians believe that they have patients with retinopathy, when in fact, it is caused by the aspartame.
The aspartame keeps the blood sugar level out of control, causing many patients to go into a coma. Unfortunately, many have died. People were telling us at the Conference of the American College of Physicians, that they had relatives that switched from saccharin to an aspartame product and how that relative had eventually gone into a coma. Their physicians could not get the blood sugar levels under control. Thus, the patients suffered acute memory loss and eventually coma and death.
Memory loss is due to the fact that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are neurotoxic without the other amino acids found in protein. Thus it goes past the blood brain barrier and deteriorates the neurons of the brain.
Dr. Russell Blaylock, neurosurgeon, said, "The ingredients stimulate the neurons of the brain to death, causing brain damage of varying degrees.
Dr. Blaylock has written a book entitled "EXCITOTOXINS: THE TASTE THAT KILLS"

If you want more information - just google Aspartame and MS.

Round 3 Phase 2 Day 22,23 and 24

Day 22 I released .08 ozs. I was so frustrated as I was only 1 oz away from my goal. Of course my body would do this to me and drag it out. Day 23 I released 1.4lbs. Hurray!!! That puts me at a 76lb release from the time I started HCG. This is the most I have ever lost. Now on to my 100 club. Only 24 lbs to go and then after that I only have 30 lbs to release before I hit my Ultimate goal. That isn't so much if I think of it this was. Which tells me I have about 2, maybe 3 more rounds. Not bad!!!
Today I released .6ozs. I have 3 more days until I finish this phase and start my 3 days without HCG. I am hoping I will get into the 80's. I decided this week that after I get up at 5am and my son comes back home at 7am that we were going back to bed. Those extra 3 hours sure makes a big deal in my weight loss. I WILL make it to my ultimate goal and will stay there as I know if I go over 2 lbs, to just do a correction day.
Well here is to all of you who are releasing. Hope you release some big numbers tomorrow!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Round 3 Phase 2 Day 19, 20 and 21

I guess I didn't post for the last three days as I didn't have much to say. On day 19 I did an apple day. Ate 7 Golden delisious through out the day. Had no water at all. Really it wasn't bad. I kind of like this as I can eat any time I am hungry. I released 1.6lbs the next day. Day 20 I released .4 ozs and today I gained .2 ozs. Yesterday I even made sugar cookies. No temptation there, yet today I felt like giving up. According to my schedule, I have only 1 more week on Phase 2. I want so badly to get into the 80's and I only have 1 more pound until I hit 75lb release, yet it seems to be taking FOREVER!!! I figured it is not about how fast I take the weight off (even though I would like it all to come off now) yet how well I keep it off. I think some of my problem also is no food in the house, so I am VERY limited to what I get to eat. I have chicken and fish yet only acouple more apples and no veggies. Hubby does not get paid until next Friday. Oh well, all will be well! We are just in the mode of playing catch-up since he was out of work for two months. We do have food in the house, just not anything I can eat. :>)
I am curious to see how I do tomorrow. Not expecting a whole lot.
Hope you have better releases then I am.
Have a great night all!!!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Round3 Phase 2 Day 17&18

I decided the day before, if I did not loose at least a pound then I would do an apple day. I did loose 1.6lbs which is great yet was hoping to loose more. Today I released only .2. Not too pleased with that number. I know, at least it is a loss yet I need more. I only have about a week and a half left of phase 2. So, today I decided to do an apple day. I just want to make my goal of 20 lbs for each phase. If I loose more than that, hurray for me. I have had two apples so far. The way I do an Apple Day is the way they say to do it in Pounds and Inches. I have from 6 to 8 apples that day and try not to drink anything, if I need to then just a couple of swallows. Hopefully tomorrow I will release more.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Round 3 Phase 2 Day 14, 15 & 16

Wow, I had some great times and then some of the worst times. On day 14 I released 1.6lbs. I was so happy. I am nearing my goal. 6 more lbs and I would be in the 80s. This is going GREAT. I even decided to try on some size 12 pants. I was very nervous, slide them on, got them passed my hips. The big test...my stomach. Yay!!! I got them to zip and button. They were a little tight, yet I got them on all the way. I can fit into a size 12. I was (key word) on cloud nine and it was nice. Then came day 15, weighed in and found a gain of 1lbs. WHAT??? OK, so I didn't sleep very well and I did eat sauerkraut, yet sauerkraut has no cals and only 1 gram of carbs. I also rinse mine well to get as much sodium out as possible. I have had it in my last round and had no problem with it. Fine, I will deal with this. Day 16 came and again I weighed myself. Another pound gained! What is going on???I am NOT liking this. OK, in my defense, I did not get dinner until late and only slept 6 hours. I did have sauerkraut yesterday for lunch. I was going to do an "apple day" today yet I decided to eat normally (on p2), no sauerkraut and tomorrow I will be able to sleep in. If I did not loose at least a pound, then tomorrow I will do an apple day. I might have to extend my round. I was only going to do a 30 day round yet I would like to get into the low 80s, high 70s. What will tomorrow bring??? Just need to keep plugging along. Goals are wonderful yet with set goals that have dates attached to them, I can always change the dates as long as I am still progressing towards my ultimate goal and do not give up.
I hope everyone else has more releases then I did.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Round 3 Phase 2 Day 12 &13

There really isn't too much to report. Yesterday I gained .2oz. I really feel it was lack of sleep. So, why am I not in bed yet? It's because tomorrow I can sleep in!!! Today I lost 1 lbs. I am not having any cravings, have not cheated. I am so ready to get rid of all this extra weight. Today a dear friend brought over some "home-made" cookies (and they looked good) and yet she was sweet enough to bring me an apple and grapefruit. It's nice to see people helping me keep to this way of life.
You can do this. There are so many people out there willing to help you out. Food is never worth bad health. Do it for YOU!
Happy Releases everyone!!!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Round 3 Phase 2 Day 11

Today I released .6lbs. Only 5 more pounds and then I can claim loosing 75 lbs. Can't wait for this claim. The most I have ever lost at one try was 50 lbs.

Here are some videos am I posting. The first one is about MSM.


Go to www.youtube.com

and look up "tewhjsa" and go to her HCG DIET VLCD #6 R1.P2 D6 vlog.

Also look up, "HebbieDobby" and go to her Coconut and MCT oils.

I am not promoting using oils in Phase 2 as it is not Protocol. Some people do it and have great success yet I am too nervous that I might not stabilize as well. I do use Coconut oil in P 3&4.

Until tomorrow, Happy Releases to you all.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Round 3 Phase 2 Day 10

Today was the day. I am officially in the 100's. I released 1.6 lbs today and I am now 198.8. I am so excited. Can we say Goodbye 200 forever? I know I can. Before I would of been hesitant to of said that, but with HCG I know I can stay at my goal as if you are always weighing yourself, then if you go over 2 lbs you can correct that or if you decided to splurge and gain more, then you could always do another round. 23 days really is not long. I can't believe that I am half way through this phase. I need to do my inches tomorrow and see where I am at.
So, did I celebrate today? No, and I don't feel like I need to. It is a celebration just seeing those numbers.
So, here's to more releases tomorrow!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Round 3 Phase 2 Day 8-9

Don't you love when releases come and go? Yesterday I released .08lbs and today I released .02. I am not surprised as I am so close to getting out of the 200s. Tomorrow I should be out and into the 100s.
Yesterday I was told that I am getting an hour glass figure. Thank goodness as I use to have one before all this FAT. My husband grabbed me at the waist and took a step back and then grabbed me again and said he could feel muscles. When I have lost weight before, I would loose weight yet there was always fat. HCG is truly taking care of the fat. I can't wait to see what a couple more round will do to my body. I want to be in the single digits for size as I can't even remember when I have ever been there. In high school I was a size 12. I always thought I was fat as everyone else was "twiggy" yet looking back at pictures, I was not fat. I just had a wonderful figure. Now to get that figure again.
Well can't wait for tomorrow.
Here is Happy releases to all of you!!!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Round 3 Phase 2 Day 6 and 7

Yesterday was not bad. I released 1.6 lbs. Pretty excited. I don't mind if I keep loosing at least 1 pound a day as the average for women is 1/2 a pound. Today I released 1.4 lbs. So, with this I am so close to going into the 100 range. I am so excited about this.
One thing I don't understand is this...I have read and watched longs of blogs/vblogs and so many who are doing HCG is not doing by protocol. I know they are still loosing weight yet the key is stabilizing when you get into phase 2. For me I can't afford to go off of protocol. I want to stabilize and not have any problems doing so. If people are going off protocol because they are bored with the food, there are so many recipes out there for phase 2. Phase 2 is ONLY 23 days (unless you want to do a longer round), I think any of us can stick to the simple foods for 23 days in order for us to be able to "taste" skinny and healthy.
Dr. Simeon has tested this for 50 years, I think he knows what he is doing. I trust him and will only go by the (HIS) book.
Until tomorrow or the next, Happy releases, stabilization and maintenance!