Sunday, February 28, 2010

In NJ for the next 3 days...

Made it to Short Hills without issue, as long as you consider getting lost three times within two miles of the hotel without issue. I did the map from my iphone and failed to check if it said the Hilton...it took me to the general location of Short Hills twice, and then I finally caught on. I wonder who lived at the houses my phone took me too :).

Have my scale with me but forgot my last syringe of HCG, so today is my last injection, and my LIW, that which I will forever be known is 159.4. Not too shabby. Hoping to keep that record in place I went to the sauna for 20 minutes at the hotel and drank tons of water. I also swam for the first time in about 4 months as well...only for ten minutes, but my shoulders are burning so Im not sure if that will add some water. I'm also planning on working out at least once while Im here in the cardio room (its huge and well equipped...yes, hubby, just like you...)

When I weighed myself this morning on the scale that I brought with me, it said 162, then 161, then 161.5...so Im going to equate anything within 1 lbs of 161.5 as ok for the days here at the hotel.

I talked with the meeting planner when I arrived (due to a snafu in the room arrangements), and she said she remembered my registration because I was so specific about the foods I needed: plain beef, chicken, shrimp with some type of salad for every meal. She laughed when I explained it, and said the funniest part was my comment about strawberries. But it looks like Im covered for lunches (theres a cafeteria there so I don't have to have a sandwich), and though the group dinner tomorrow night is at an Italian place, the meeting planner said she would bring the menu and tell the place to bring me exactly what I want since the dinner was prearranged with a menu...she is so accomodating! So good plan in place, and backup plan as well, since I brought three meal portions with me, just in case...and they are sitting in the frig (I had them empty the room minibar so I wouldnt be tempted and I could keep everything cold)...Im going to bring one tomorrow in case the cafeteria is not up to snuff, and I have my melba toasts, tomatoes, apples and strawberries (huge ones that I can only have two of, they're that big). I should be good...

Not sure how much time Ill have to post, but Ill be keeping tracking, and post when I can. Chat with you soon, my bloggy peeps!

Holy SH**-In the 150s!

Daily loss 1.1
Total Loss 29.6
Current Weight 159.4

I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!!!! I am in the 150's again. Yes, 159, but I will take it. ONLY .4 til 30lbs lost!!!! And I cheated yesterday...

Hubby and I went to dinner at Triumph Brewery and they had such yummy sounding food that I decided to sample a little. We got a goat cheese carmelized onion tart, and I had 4 delicious tiny bites of the onion and goat cheese. Then for dinner I ordered the flank steak in shallot jus with whipped sweet potatoes. Again, 5 tiny bites of the sweet potatoes (so good, could taste the brown sugar), about 1 oz of the steak in its juice (it was too tough so I sent it back), 2 cups of romaine and about 2 oz of chicken (to replace the flank steak). I made myself drink 96oz of water while we where there to counteract the cheating, and I guess it worked. I am so FREAKING excited (as if you couldn't tell).

And to add to my glee, yesterday I went shopping with my MIL since we had since community day coupons for BonTon. Ive never really shopped there, so I wasnt expecting much...just to use my $10 off coupon on a microplaner for the kitchen...but they had such cute stuff (and so cheap), and EVERYTHING FIT, that I had to buy some clothes, right? I actually bought 4 pairs of jeans (couldnt decide which I liked best so I bought them for hubby to decide and then will take back whatever he vetos), and the BEST thing-THEY WERE ALL SIZE 10 (and total cost for all 4 pairs was $52)! Yes, they were all stretch 10...but OMG!!!!!! And they were different brands...Jones New York, Bandolino and Ruff Hewn. And they were all tight but not uncomfortable and the stretch made them wonderful. WOW!!!!!! I LOVE THIS. I so want to keep losing right now and not go into P3, though I know I need to by my sampling last night, and to get this weight stable and then start again in 6 weeks. One thing, though, my next P2, I will definitely experiment a little more (thanks, gofastchickenwing!), and be a little more adventurous with my foods.

Now I am visualizing an amazing P3...so easy, the food so good, my body effortlessly stabilizing at my LIW. I will listen to my weight loss hypnosis scripts every night, I will drink at least 100oz of water a day, stay away from chemically enhanced food and drink, and enjoy the process. I will add in exercise and it will not affect my stabilization. Wow, that sounds good, right?

Are you here with me?...lets do this thing!


Saturday, February 27, 2010

R1P2D48-More LOVE

Daily Loss .2
Total Loss 28.5
Current Weight 160.5

So I held onto the loss so far and down another .2.  Though my goal was to lose 30lbs for a weight of 159lbs at the end of this round, I really want to see 160, without any other numbers included...so 1/2 a lb to go!!!!! Definintely injecting today, and tomorrow if I have any HCG left (Im at the bottom of the barrel)...and then onto my VLCD only. 

I'll be at the Short Hills Hilton from Sunday night to Wednesday (training for work M-W), and of course, this is a fancy hotel with no access to a frig or a microwave, so I'm going to have to be VERY mindful of my eating during that time.  And I might have to eat some things that are not allowed, since some of the food will be buffet, and I won't be able to order other things, or make changes to how they cook things.  I am going to bring apples, strawberries, tomatoes and melba toast with me, just in case, but will be at the mercy of the protein gods for the rest....Im sure I can do this.  I've made it this far. 

Definitely planning on bringing my scale with me.  Hope it fits in my suitcase...and remind me, I have to weight myself on it tomorrow so I have a baseline weight to go along with the weight on the Wii Fit (since my scale is not the best, and probably needs recalibration).  But at least its something.

Had so much fun emptying out my closet of all extra large, size 16 and 14 (gasp!), and maternity clothes yesterday.  My doubting mind is having me keep the box close to the closet just in case this stabilization round doesn't pan out, but my "I can do it mind" is ready to chuck it all out the door (or at least put the box in the basement).  Im going to go with I can do it, and ask hubby to bring it downstairs since its a really BIG box.  

I wore this sexy shirt out last night with the girls, one I haven't fit it in about 3 yrs, and my size 12 (whoopee!) jeans-and I felt so good.  The girls even mentioned how good I looked.  It still doesn't feel real...after having all this extra weight for all these years, to lose it all so quickly makes the loss somewhat incomprehensible.  My mind is having trouble catching up, and sometimes in the mirror, I see my old self and not the new one...beam me up, Scotti!  Guess I need to listen to my hypnosis scripts a little more often...put them on a loop to play all night.  And I definitely need to take some pics of me in real clothes (instead of just my weigh in bikinis) so I can compare them to the before family pics, etc...I especially want a good one of me and my hubby to frame.  We had one taken for my 37th bday party and one from NYE 2009, both only a few months prior to now, and in both we look so happy and so plump.  I would love one now to show how far we've come in such a short period of time, and keep that up as a motivator...

A few days ago I posted the Love Yourself challenge for this week, and I wonder how that is going for everyone?  I have an add-on to it...a sub-category, perhaps, called the Love Your Spouse (or SI, etc) challenge.  For me, many times I fly off the handle easily, get peturbed, wonder why I married my hubby-all in the heat of the moment, due to some silly argument, remark, bad time I am having and taking it out on him- and an hour later everything is fine.  For that "heated" moment, I thought, there needs to be something I can look at to calm me down, and to remind me of why I love my husband (and myself). 

And so for my Love Your Spouse challenge, I am going to create a list of all of the reasons I love my husband and Im going to post it somewhere I can easily see it (and maybe even print it and frame it-I love that idea).  I'm also going to ask my hubby to make the same list for me (little does he know thats the topic for tonight's date night :).  The list needs to be specific...so no 'hes a good father', though that is definitely the case, but what makes him a good father? Give some examples...that way there is a anchor memory that will bring back the good feelings, and it gives hubby an idea of exactly what he is doing right.  His idea of a good father and mine might be different, so this leaves no room for misinterpretation.  And make it good for all areas, bring out big things and little things, like his butt looks so good in his jeans, no matter what the size ;).  Make it legible, and keep it all on one side of one page (thats why Im going to type mine, otherwise, I probably wouldnt even be able to read it) so you can easily post it.  No I will love him if he does this...no conditions, no negativity, no criticism, no pros and cons, just the LOVE.

And for all of us, whether we do the love your spouse challenge or not, as part of the LOVE YOURSELF challenge, do this same list for yourself.  Write down everything you love about yourself.  Be specific, be gentle, NO NEGATIVITY, NO GUILT, just LOVE...this will be hard, but it is one of the best things you can do for yourself.  Post it in a place you can see it everyday, continually add to it as you think of new things, and let yourself open us, and then post a few of your favorite love bites here to share...

For me: I love my smile, my constant longing to learn new things, the twinkle in my eye, my girlish enthusiasm for silly things, my NEW NAILS!, my ability to do this diet for 48 days (big smile!!!), my new figure, my generousity of spirit ( this is so hard with all the negative voices in my head...SHUT UP, I am writing here!), my love of travel and experiencing new things...

Can't wait to read some of yours...or at least read that you are writing one...you can do it!

Friday, February 26, 2010

R1P2D47-160ish!

Daily loss .7
Total loss 28.3
Current Weight 160.7

My stomach was a mess the entire day yesterday...I didn't eat my protein and veggie at lunch cause I couldn't think about eating (and had nothing cooked anyway), and I had to force down a chicken and strawberry salad for dinner...and I was only able to get down 1/2 of that. After some pepto and a lot of belly rumbling last night, today my stomach is feeling much better, though my head is pounding!

I did do my measurements yesterday, but I could not get myself out of bed to post them here, so I will do it now. I don't think they are much different than last week, esp due to TOM and bloating due to belly issues (click to see larger):
Conman is off school again today because of the snow and he's watching the original Indiana Jones Trilogy while I'm working. He is loving it, because it is just like his Indiana Jones Lego Wii game. That should keep him occupied for quite a while. Later today, I have to take Kieran for his 15mo appt (it was originally for 8:30 this morning and hubby was to take him, but thanks to the snow it was moved and might still be canceled), and then I'm supposed to go out with my book club girls for dinner, weather permitting. I really hope that's a go, since I really need a night out.

One more day of TOM, and two more, maybe three more injections, so I'm really hopeful about getting to 160 or below in the next few days...that would ROCK. And then the three day VLCD without my injections, to occur when I am traveling for work (ugh!), and then P3. Wish me luck!

Have a great Friday!...and feel free to share your favorite P2 friendly comfort food recipe here (for snowy days)...

Thursday, February 25, 2010

R1P2D46- My poor stomach

Daily loss 1.1
Total loss 27.6
Current Weight 161.4

Listen to that lovely gurgling noise. Um, is that a volcano about to explode? No, sorry, that's just my stomach. It is been acting up all morning, but allowed me to drop a total of 1.1 lbs (started at .2 this morning) since yesterday- and yes I weighed myself after every time in the bathroom (3 total before I had anything to drink). I call that a win. Now if only I could get out of the bathroom.

Not sure what's causing the stomach upset...but it could have been the epsom salt/baking soda bath last night. Maybe that is acting like a laxative? I WAS in there for two hours...but the kids were in bed, the water was warm, and I had a good book, so it was worth it. All I had for dinner last night was some steamed shrimp with shrimp boil spices and lemon juice, 5 strawberries and a melba toast. Nothing too crazy there. Whatever the cause, Im glad its almost got me at my goal this round. Hopefully Ill stay the same tomorrow, or maybe even drop?

Conman is home with me today thanks to the snow (we're in Pa). His school was open, but only til 12pm, so I thought, why bother the treacherous roads twice for fours hours of school? He's been playing Wii for an hour already, addicted as he is. I could let him play all day, and I don't think he would notice any time has gone by...and I won't need to worry about him bothering me while working, unless I tell him he can't play. Then I would have to listen to his screams for hours. Sometimes its just easier to let the square parent take over (yes the tv, with the wii attached). That doesn't make me TOO bad a mom, does it?

Anyway, wherever you are today, hope you are enjoying the weather, the day, your kids (as applicable), and your new body! :) 

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

R1P2D45-Status Quo

Daily loss .0
Total Loss 26.5
Current Weight 162.5

So stable is the way Im riding TOM out...three more days to go, and hopefully no gain. I'm going to keep injecting until its all gone, drink a ton of water, and start P3 right after TOM leaves the premises (well three days after, since I need the HCG to clear out of my system).

Went to the mall today at lunch and got some great kitchen tools at Williams Sonoma, a pastry lifter that will be helping me put all my chopped veggies in my pots, a little item that looks like a melon baller, that takes the stems out of strawberries and tomatoes, some new cutting boards, and a cool cheese slicer for my cheese addicted hubby. I also stopped by Cheesecake Factory to take advantage of the free cheesecake slice coupon I have that will expire soon...I got hubby a piece of Adam's Peanut Butter Toffee or something like that...hopefully he will enjoy it (and no, I wasnt even tempted to try it or get my own piece when I was there).

Looking at getting myself a nice pair of diamond hoop earring as a reward for the weight loss (less, just looking, thats all the current budget with allow)...its either that or I would have to skip the bathroom remodel that we are probably going to start in April, and I definitely don't want to do that! Window shopping and imagining is almost as much fun as having the real thing. And I guess the WS kitchen items should really count as my reward, I guess...though those are much more practical.

What are you going to treat yourself to this week?

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Challenge of the Week: LOVE Yourself

Thanks to "Lyn of Escape from Obesity," for the following challenge of the week, the first that I am posting. This was originally posted Nov 24, 2008:


This week's habit is: Love Yourself.

What? What's that got to do with weight loss, or fitness, or health?? Let me tell you... it has EVERYTHING to do with all three. After all, if you hated yourself, you wouldn't bother with any of this. Would you?

Self-love and self-care go hand in hand. The connection between loving (the emotion) and caring (the action) is undeniable. Think about a baby. If a person has a little child that they LOVE, will they let that child go hungry, crying for hours to be fed? If they love the child, will they let them sit in dirty diapers until their skin is raw and sore? Will they neglect them or abuse them? No, not if there is love. Where there is love, there is care, even when it is unpleasant. Changing a poopy diaper is no prance through a rose garden. But you do it because you love the child. You feed them, wash them, keep them warm, and clothe them because you LOVE them and want them to be well. Beyond that, you provide emotional comfort and support. All because of love.

When you love yourself, will you let yourself go hungry for hours, your soul crying to be fed? Will you sit in dirty pajamas for days, not bothering to shower? Will you neglect yourself by not providing for your needs, or by abusing yourself with food? No, not if there is love. Where there is love, there is care, even when it is unpleasant. Preparing healthy foods and exercising is no frollic in a meadow. But you do it because you love yourself. You feed yourself nourishing foods, care for your body, and exercise because you LOVE yourself and want yourself to be well. Beyond that, you comfort yourself emotionally when you need it. All because of love.

How many times do we hear someone say, "Ewww, I HATE my legs!" I know I'm guilty. It's hard sometimes to love those giant, pale, dimply tree trunks that stick out enormously from my shorts and scare little children away. But those are the legs that have carried me through life. They ran and played through my childhood, they carried me through college. They carried all five of my children safely before they were born, and afterwards, they rocked and paced and swayed while I soothed my infants in my arms. Those legs got me through college, and they biked me out of morbid obesity. They may be damaged, they may be painful, but they're MY LEGS, and I sure wouldn't want to be without them!

Instead of looking at your various body parts and labeling them as disgusting, gross, or repulsive, try and see them for the blessing that they are. They are part of YOU, and when you feel negativity towards yourself, it comes out in other ways... like binge eating. Instead, try loving your body. Think positive thoughts about yourself, flaws and all. Thank your body for carrying you through life thus far. Give your body the gentle touch it craves. What was the last time you gave your body a loving touch? Your skin longs for it. Take some time and care for yourself in whatever ways appeal to you. For me, I take extra time to apply a nice lotion after a shower. I like to soak in the tub and enjoy the warmth and quiet. Maybe your feet would enjoy a pedicure, or your hands a manicure. Or even just a nice moisturizing treatment. Only you know what will make your body happy. Take time this week and do those things.

Part of the challenge is mental, too. Have you ever looked in the mirror, looked into your eyes and said, "I love you"? Try it. Really. You may be surprised at the emotions that come forth. You do deserve to be loved. You really do.

Make time for yourself this week. For your healthy habit, set aside a small block of time each day just to care for YOU, whatever that may mean. It may be taking a half hour in the morning to sit and sip tea and read a book, or maybe it's doing a facial care routine each night that makes you feel cared for. It could be taking time to call and talk with a friend, or to pursue a hobby you enjoy. Try and take a bigger block of time on the weekend... or some other day during the week... just to do something you love. And if you believe you may be suffering from depression, perhaps the kindest thing you can do for yourself this week is to seek help. See your doctor, find a counselor. Sometimes, we just can't do it alone.

When you love yourself, the self-care follows... and it flows over into other aspects of life, like healthy eating and exercising. Tell yourself something good about YOU every day. And believe it. You are worth saving.

Here is the link to the post, in case you want to check out her blog...I recommend you do!
http://escapefromobesity.blogspot.com/2008/11/habit-week-challenge-week-8-love.html

R1P2D45-TOM is here!

Daily loss .7
Total Loss 26.5
Current Weight 162.5

TOM is finally here...I was actually a day late, and a little worried last night, but I worry no more!  Thank god I did that apple day, who know's what I would've gained otherwise.  Speaking of apple days, it was actually easy.  I had one medium apple every three hours or so starting around 9am, and one big apple around 5pm, after which, I was definitely not hungry for more.  I totaled maybe 3oz of water all day in addition to the 4 apples, and that was it.  No cravings, no hunger, no huge thirst.  It was interesting...

On a different note, I had an amazing conversation with my 5 yr old today.  It was just this morning while he was getting dressed for school.  I think he was a little upset because he wet the bed, after failing to put on his pull-up last night, but irregardless, he started asking me about death (no idea how this came up).  He asked me how we know when we will die?  And followed it up by saying, after we die do we come back and be a grownup?  After a little discussion (me, pulling out of thin air answers I have no idea about, hoping they make sense to him), I asked him why he was wondering.  If someone he knew or they talked about, died.  I should have remembered that it is Lent, and they are probably discussing Jesus and the resurrection in his class, and he is concerned about it, but at the time, that did not occur to me.  He said in response to my wondering, "Im just missing my other grandpa"-my dad, who passed away in 1999, way before Connor was born.  It made me cry a little, that he thinks of him and was not able to meet him, but I tried to comfort him by saying he was up in heaven watching over us and he can talk to him anytime he likes.   He also asked about dinosaurs, and if they are going to come back to life...and by golly, I had an answer for that one...Heady discussion for a Tuesday morning.  Life definitely is an amazing thing.  The most amazing thing is that this is probably the longest conversation that I've had with my son that hasn't been about Star Wars Lego Wii in months!

I sure do love my boys...

What's the best thing that happened to you today?

Monday, February 22, 2010

Pork Rind recipes-P3

Found these recipes at lowcarbfriends.com, they sound interesting!  And if you want more types of low carb recipes, here is a link to all of their recipes.

Garlic Dill Meatballs
-= Ingredients =-
1 pound ground chicken
1/2 pound ground pork
1 small onion ; finely chopped
1/2 cup ground pork rinds ; (optional)
1 egg
2 garlic cloves ; pressed
2 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
2 tablespoon canola oil
-= Instructions =-

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine chicken, pork, onion, pork rinds, egg, garlic, dill, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix well. Divide mixture into 18 (1 1/2-inch) meatballs.
Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until hot very hot. Brown meatballs (in batches, if necessary) on all sides, about 6 minutes.
Transfer skillet to oven; bake 10 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.
This recipe yields 4 servings.

Pork Roll-Ups


-= Ingredients =-

8 pork cutlets
= (or boneless chops pounded thin)
8 breakfast sausage links
= (Jimmy Dean, Bob Evans, etc.) -check ingredients-will need some with no sugar or starch
1 egg ; beaten with
1/2 cup water
1 cup crushed pork rinds
8 ounces low-carb (no sugar added) tomato sauce
1/8 teaspoon freshly-ground white pepper
3/4 cup shredded cheese
= (Cheddar, Mozzarella, Swiss)
-= Instructions =-

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Sauté sausage until lightly browned. Place one sausage link on each pork cutlet and roll up, tucking in ends of pork to make a pouch. Hold together with a toothpick. Dip in egg and roll in crushed pork rinds.
Chill thoroughly –– at least an hour (this keeps them together, so don't skip this step).
Arrange in baking dish, cover with sauce, and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 1 hour at 325 degrees until done. (These can also be wrapped in foil and grilled, turning once.) Remove toothpicks before serving.

This recipe yields 8 servings; 2 grams of carbohydrate per serving.


You Won't Believe It's Not French Toast

-= Ingredients =-
1/2 bag unflavored pork rinds - (3-oz bag)
2 eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
3 packets Splenda  (I will be using zSweet or an all natural sugar substitute instead of splenda)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon egg nog extract ; (optional)

-= Instructions =-

Crumble pork rinds up until they resemble bread crumbs (use your food processor if you like -- or put them in a Ziploc bag -- air removed -- and roll them with a rolling pin). Set aside.

Beat eggs well and then mix with remaining ingredients and beat again. Add crushed pork rinds to the egg/cream mixture and allow to sit for approximately 5 minutes. Mixture will thicken to a "gloppy" phase during this time.

Meanwhile, heat skillet or griddle with butter or oil, and when hot, fry pancake style until golden brown on both sides. Serve with your favorite low-carb maple syrup (DaVinci, Keto, Atkins, Howards, etc, etc.)

If you don't tell someone who eats them, they will never have a CLUE that these little French toast pancakes are made with pork rinds. And everyone loves 'em. Really. Yeah, really. Would I kid you?

Less than 1 carb gram per serving.

Extremely Important Notes: The pork rinds must be a good brand with an extremely bland taste. Baken-ets (Frito-Lay's national brand) and Huffmann's (a local brand) are the best. Rinds that are super crunchy don't work well for this. It's also important that they be very well crushed -- just one step above dust.
Also, remember to let it really get to its "gloppy" phase and don't rush it. Plus, make sure the skillet is hot before you start adding the mix -- with just enough oil to moisten bottom of pan but not enough to fry chicken in.
Lastly, while the egg nog extract is optional, it really adds something. If you don't have any, we suggest you substitute a vanilla, rather than just leaving it out.

Elephant Ear Rinds

Melt some butter, put the rinds into a brown paper bag, drizzle the butter in and shake to coat.  Sprinkle with cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice and Splenda, zSweet, or a tiny bit of Stevia powder and shake again.  Enjoy!

BREAD PUDDING
1 bag plain pork rinds -- (3 oz) lightly crushed
2 eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup splenda or AS
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
Mix cream, eggs, water, sweetener, vanilla and cinnamon. Butter 1 or 1 1/2 qt. Casserole dish. Put lightly crushed pork rinds in dish and pour liquid over. Preheat oven to 350 and let casserole sit while it preheats so pork rinds can absorb some liquid. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake 30-40 min til top lightly browned. Tasts best warm. (Total=13.8 carbs. Serves 2-4 )

CINNAMON SPICE PORK RIND CAKE


Ingredients:

7 egg whites, room temperature
2 cups of pork rind flour***
2 1/4 cups Splenda or 6 tablespoons Sweetbalance (use more or less to  adjust to personal tastes)
1/2 cup cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon cinnamon extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup soured, scalded, heavy whipping cream (33-35% milk fat)
3/4 cup boiling water
4 egg yolks
*** One 80 gram bag of pork rinds yields exactly one cup of pork rind flour.
Using a blender or food processor, grind pork rinds into a fine flour or brown sugar-like substance by placing one pork rind at a time in blender or food processor and grinding it.
To sour the cream, add 2 tablespoons vinegar to the heavy whipping cream. To scald cream, bring to a slow boil and remove from heat immediately.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Farenheit. Lightly grease one 16X16 rectangular cake pan, or two round 8 inch cake pans, or two 8X8 square cake pans. Set aside. In a large bowl, add pork rind flour, sweetener, cinammon, nutmeg cinammon extract, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix until thouroughly blended. Add scaled, soured cream and boiling water. Beat on low speed with an electric mixer, or with a hand whisk, until well blended.
Add egg yolks and beat until smooth.
Beat egg whites with an electric mixer on low speed, or with a hand whisk, until egg whites are thick and frothy. Increase electric mixer to high speed and continue beating egg whites until stiff, white peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat the egg whites, as they will lose begin to lose their volume. Gently fold in 1/4 of the egg whites into the cinammon batter.
Fold in the remaining egg whites, working quickly yet gently to preserve the volume of the egg whites.... Bake for 30-36 min.

Cream Cheese Frosting
8oz.creamcheese
1/4 cup butter
1tbsp vanilla
 1/2 cup splenda

Around 4.5 grams per serving, supposing 9 squares each from two 8x8 pans.

Let me know if you try any of them, and what you think!

 

SPARKpeople recipes

Hi!  Here is the link to the Cookbook I created on SPARKpeople.  They are a bunch of recipes that I want to try, and comments indicate if they are appropriate for P2, P3 or just P4.  Enjoy

Hypnosis Recording Giveaway

Since Im a sucker for comments AND followers, and since I accidentally ordered two of these mp3s yesterday, I will be having a giveaway for Steve G Jones's UNLIMITED WEALTH 5 Diamond recording. Here is the link to it if you want to find out more.


If you want to enter yourself for a chance to win, please leave a comment in for this post, or become a Follower and leave a comment (good for two entries). If you are already a follower and comment, I will also give you two entries. I will be drawing a name from all entries next Thursday, March 4th, and posting the winner next Friday!

Good luck!

Too much of a good thing

Daily weight +.4
Total loss to date: 25.9
Current Weight: 163.2

There will be lots of TMI here, so for the faint of heart or belly, do not pass this point...

Ok, then, here goes. That chili I made twice yesterday made me SO GASSY! UGH! I had cramps and shooting pains starting around 9pm last night. I tried to go to the bathroom, but no luck. I tried praying to my higher power, and no luck :). I tried reading it away, sleeping on my belly, sleeping on my side, sleeping on my back, and no luck. I did not take anything for it, since I wasn't sure if that is allowed, and it wasn't THAT bad. So I'll stop complaining now...

I know that's the cause of my gain this morning. So today, even though it is not merited, as I have not been stagnant at the same weight for the last 4 days, and even though I am sure I am at the cusp of TOM, I am going to do an apple day. It might not help at all with the weight, but Im hoping it helps with the gas. And I have never done one, so I want to see what its like, and how hard it is to do. Ive had my first apple of the day, and nothing to drink so far, and its ok. I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Was wandering my blogorama and their blogoramas, and keep finding out about the most interesting stuff. First, I found a site called hundredpushups.com. It is a program that will take you from how ever many pushups you can do today to 100 in the next six weeks. I am going to start it as soon as I am in P3 (and hope it doesnt affect me too much). I did the initial test today and was only able to do 4 full body ones, and then to see, I did 8 on my knees. Even though Im pushing up 25lbs less than a month ago, I am still pretty weak. But thats all gonna change, baby! Wanna take the challenge with me?

I also found a chocolate bar listed that has 2 net carbs per serving and its sweetener is made with chicory root...its called Chocoperfection and people rave about it.
 I found a site that will let me just order one of the dark and one of milk chocolate for 3.20 each (yes they are expensive), so Im going to try them in P3. Lots of people have issues with them in P3, so if i do one time, then off to P4 they will go...but Im still excited about having chocolate again (did you see that recipe I posted for chocolate bark-sounds YUMMY!)

On the finger infection front, good news! its going away. I tried some antibiotic ointment that we use for my son's infected eczema (hasn't happened for a while-so thankful for that). I am so glad that I didn't have to go the internal antibiotic route because I am scared to death of breaking out in hives again. I still have the remnants of the scars from last month. And I am so glad that I have nails. With this weight loss and having strong nails that I can paint and show off, I feel like a brand new woman. I am even dressing up more, and feeling sexy. Love these side effects!

Anyway, I'm sure you are waiting with bated breath to find out what happens after I eat 6 apples in one day, so stay tuned for tomorrow's posting. And do something today that makes you feel super sexy...maybe a smile and a wink to a cute coworker, or a hot bubble bath with candles and soft romantic music...

Sunday, February 21, 2010

P3 Recipes

Got these from various locales, and want to try them all so I am posting them here...Enjoy!  ps-the comments are not mine (except the Chocolate Bark one).

Chocolate Bark
-cant wait to try this one!!!!!!
You will need :
Defatted cocoa
coconut oil
powder sweet leaf stevia

Melt 1cup coconut oil on low in medium sauce pan
once melted add 1/2 cup of coa coa powder stir until desolved
Line a 8x10 cake pan with frezzer paper or foil
pour melted cocoa powder and coconut oil in lined cake pan
sprinkle evenly w/ 1/4 cup Stevia on top of mixture
Freeze for 15 min before sprinkling with any nut topping and then put back in freezer for 15 more min
Add a 5-6 drops of mint,pepermint or any other flaver of Stevia.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust
1 cup cooked cauliflower, shredded w a cheese grater
1 egg
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp fennel
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp parsley
**pizza or alfredo sauce
toppings (make sure meats are cooked)
mozzarella cheese

preheat oven to 450 degrees Farenheit.
Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
In a medium bowl, combine cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Press evenly on the pan. Sprinkle evenly with fennel, oregano and parsley.
Bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes (15-20 minutes if you double the recipe).
Remove the pan from the oven. To the crust, add sauce, then toppings and cheese.
Place under a broiler (grill for the Europeans) at high heat just until cheese is melted **.

Additional Tips

Notes:

*I use frozen cauliflower prepared according to package directions. After cooked and slightly cooled, I shred cauliflower with a cheese grater, and then measure for the recipe. (Don't pack down the cup with cauliflower. Just fill it with a spoon or the cup itself.)

** The pizza sauce I use is Great Value Pizza sauce from Wal-Mart. At only 3 net carbs per quarter cup, you get a lot of punch for little carbohydrate pow.

*** You can try re-baking the pizza at 450 once you add toppings if desired, but the crust is not quite as crusty. There is a minimal difference, so see what works best for you.

P3 Strawberry-Yogurt Smoothie
1 cup of semi - frozen sliced strawberries
Juice of 1/2 lime
Stevia drops or powder to taste
1-2 Tbsp spoons of very cold water or crushed ice
1 serving of Dannon Light and Fit (Carb & Sugar Control) Stawberries and Cream Yogurt Dairy Snack
(1-2 TBSP heavy whipping cream may be substitued for Yogurt)
Put ingredients in Magic Bullet or blender and mix


I so want guacamole but this was a better choice still to early in maintenace to rock the boat too much.
2oz of red onion
1 tomato quatered
3 cloves of garlic
15 cilantro leaves
4 dashes of tabasco sauce ( I did not have any jalapenos @ house)
juice of 1/2 lime
1/4 of a Haas Avocado
about 1/2 tsp of salt

Pulse to desired consistancy..This is the key do not leave on a setting!!!
I put this over my grilled chicken tonight..Was so yummy!!!


Detox Tea - Morning Flush
1/2 to 1 cup of very warm water
Juice from 1/2 fresh, large lemon (detox agent for kidneys/colon)
Sprinkle of cinnamon ( helps to stablizes blood sugar)
Sprinkle of caynne (red) pepper(boosts metablism)
Stevia to taste

Stir briskly and drink immediately.
Can be repeated as an evening drink as well using the other half of the lemon.
Lemon works as a diuretic and helps eliminate retained fluids in the body especially if you have eaten salty food.

Now before you dismiss this recipe because you're probably saying "Whatttt?? Pork Rinds??????? It taste so delicious and the crust holds better than the cauliflower pizza crust. My kids like this one WAY better than the cauliflower crust and actually, I do too..


Pork Rind Pizza Crust
1 bag pork rinds, crushed
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 eggs, beaten

Add all the ingredients and mix well.
Press into a non-stick sprayed pie plate, bottom and sides.
Bake in preheated oven @350 degrees for about 8-10 minutes.
Add your toppings and then re-bake until cheese and toppings are hot.
The recipe could easily be doubled to fit an actual pizza pan.


TOMATO AND SAUSAGE SOUP
Ingredients:

• 2 slices bacon, diced
• 4 ounces linguica, finely chopped: 4 ounces linguica, sliced 1/4-inch thick
 4 ounces chorizo, finely chopped: 4 ounces chorizo, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 cup chopped red onions
• 2 teaspoons Essence, recipe follows
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups chopped peeled and seeded tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken stock (no sugar added)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
In a large saucepan or stock pot, fry the bacon over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the chopped and sliced sausages and cook with the bacon until the fat is rendered and all the meat is browned, about 5 minutes. Add the onions, Essence, and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add the bay leaf, tomatoes and stock and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with cilantro.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN
Place a rack on a baking sheet and preheat oven to 400.
Ingredients:

4 skinless boneless chicken breasts. Wash and pat dry.
2 Eggs
Dash heavy cream
1.5 cups almond flour
1 cup parmesan
Garlic powder
Sea salt and black pepper

Directions:
In a shallow bowl add two eggs and a dash of heavy cream. I use cream because I want this mixture to remain thick, so that it sticks well to the breasts.
In another shallow bowl mix almond flour, parmesean cheese, herbes de provence, garlic powder, fresh cracked black pepper and a bit of sea salt.
Take a chicken breast and place in egg mixture, coating both sides. Then place in the almond flour mixture and pack that stuff on there! Place breast on rack. Once all the breasts are on the rack, I pack more of the flour mixture on top and spray lightly with olive oil.
Bake for about 45 minutes!

RANCH DRESSING
Ingredients:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon dried chives
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions: In a large bowl, whisk together ...the mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

NOTE: Only use Daisy brand sour cream. It is the only one that's only ingredient is cream.


FISH STEW
Ingredients:
• 6 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup of chopped onions
• 2 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 2/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup of fresh chopped tomato (about 1 medium sized tomato)
• 2 tsp of tomato paste.
• 8 oz of clam juice (or shellfish stock)
• 2/3 cup dry white wine
• 1 1/2 lb fish fillets (use halibut, cod, sole, red snapper, sea bass), cut into 2-inch pieces
• Touch of dry oregano, Tabasco, thyme, pepper
• Salt

Method:

1 Heat olive oil in heavy large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and garlic and sauté 4 minutes. Add parsley and stir 2 minutes. Add tomato, tomato paste and cook 2 minutes longer.

2 Add clam juice, dry white wine, and fish and simmer until fish is cooked through, less than 10 minutes. Add seasoning. Salt to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve.

Serves 4.


PARMESAN FRIED CHICKEN
Ingredients:
2 lbs chicken breasts (cut into 6 oz servings, serves 5)
1 cup parmesan cheese (use the real stuff, not the imitation)
1/2 cup almond flour
2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
1 egg
3 Tbsp olive oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients. Make egg wash out of egg and water. Dip chicken breast pieces into egg wash and then into parmesan mixture, set aside. Heat large non-stick pan with olive oil on medium high. Once pan and oil are thoroughly heated place chicken pieces in pan and brown on both sides. After browned, place in a baking dish that you've sprayed with a tiny bit of cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 - 25 minutes, until cooked through.


ALMOND SUNFLOWER CEREAL
Ingredients:
2 T. soaked raw almonds
2 T. soaked raw sunflower seeds
½ cup chopped or sliced fresh fruit
½ cup almond milk
Combine nuts, seeds and fruit in a bowl and serve with almond milk.

ALMOND MILK
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups water
1 ½ cups soaked almonds
3 pitted medjool dates, soaked
½ tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
Blend 1 ½ cups water and the remaining ingredients until smooth. Add remaining cup of water and blend until smooth. Using a strainer pour mixture into bowl, using a spatula to press as much of the milk out of the mixture as possible. Transfer milk to sealed container in refrigerator. Will keep for 5 days. Shake before using as liquid separates.

**To soak almonds, place almonds in mason jar, fill with cool water, put on lid and soak at room temperature for 8-12 hours. You want them soft, but not soggy or they lose their flavor.

Sautéed Shrimp
Ingredients
Serves 4
• 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, tails on, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Lemon wedges, for serving

• FOR THE SEASONING
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
• Pinch of crushed red-pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook until soft but not browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add shrimp, parsley, oregano, and red-pepper flakes; cook, stirring frequently, until shrimp are bright pink and opaque, about 2 minutes.

2. Raise heat to medium-high, and add wine. Continue cooking until most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat; season with salt and pepper. Serve hot, with lemon wedges on the side

Cilantro-Grilled Shrimp with Sesame Cabbage
Ingredients
Serves 4
• 6 cups (1 head) napa cabbage, shredded
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 32 medium shrimp (about 1 pound), peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup Asian Cilantro Sauce

Directions
1. Heat grill to high. In a large bowl, toss cabbage with canola oil, lime juice, and sesame seeds. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Thread shrimp on 8 skewers. Place in a shallow dish; toss with Asian Cilantro Sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Grill until opaque, 2 to 4 minutes per side.
3. Serve the shrimp skewers with sesame cabbage, remaining 1/4 cup cilantro sauce, and lime wedges.

Asian Cilantro Sauce
Ingredients
Makes 1/2 cup
• 2 cups loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• Pinch of crushed red pepper

Directions

1. In blender, puree ingredients until smooth.

Broiled Salmon with Spinach-and-Feta Sauté
Ingredients
• 4 skinless salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 bags (5 ounces each) baby spinach
• 1/2 cup feta, crumbled (2 ounces)
• 1/3 cup pine nuts
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Directions
1. Heat broiler, with rack set 4 inches from heat. Place salmon on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Broil until opaque throughout, 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add as much spinach as will fit; season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing spinach and adding more to skillet as space becomes available, until tender, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; drain

Garlic Dill Meatballs
Ingredients
1 pound ground chicken
1/2 pound ground pork
1 small onion ; finely chopped
1/2 cup ground pork rinds ; (optional)
1 egg
2 garlic cloves ; pressed
2 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
2 tablespoon canola oil
Instructions

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine chicken, pork, onion, pork rinds, egg, garlic, dill, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix well. Divide mixture into 18 (1 1/2-inch) meatballs.
Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until hot very hot. Brown meatballs (in batches, if necessary) on all sides, about 6 minutes.
Transfer skillet to oven; bake 10 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.
This recipe yields 4 servings.

Marinated Veggies
1 1/2 Tablespoon of Braggs Liquid Aminos
1 Tablespoon of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tablespoon of fresh squeezed Lemon Juice
Black Pepper to taste

Whish all ingredients together and pour of vegetables in Ziplock bag...let marinate about 30 minutes to 1 hour in Refrig....
Place Vegetables on George Foreman Grill...pour over excess and grill...
I used on Aspargus for Phase 2 but I am sure it would be very tasty on Zucchini for you phase 3 folks

SWEET N SPICY CHICKEN WRAPS
100 grams of chicken
4 Cabbage leaves whole
1 Small Gala apple cored and chopped
2 TBSP of Braggs Liquid Amino Acids
Water
1 TBSP Tabasco
 Course Ground Mustard
2 gloves of garlic minced
2 TBSP of Organic Beef or Chicken Broth
Pepper to taste
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder

In one small skillet put 100 grams of chicken in saute pan with 2 TBSP of Braggs Liquid Aminos, Black Pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder cook chicken until done, adding water to deglaze pan and keep chicken moist.

While chicken is cooking take another large pan

( I use a 8" pan with high sides so the cabbage leaves lay open and will not tear) add water bring to a boil....add Cabbage leaves one at a time just to cook until cabbage leaf is tender and plyable. (I also remove the hard veins of larger leafs). As they are done take out set to side.

Once the chicken is completely cooked remove chicken from the pan let cool and cut up...keep the juice from cooking chicken add the minced garlic 1 TBSP of mustard and about 2 TBSP of organic beef or chicken broth ( I had beef opened and used it) bring to boil and cook your apples in this mixture once the apples start cooking down and tender return the chopped chicken to the apples.

Take your large steamed cabbage leafs and spoon in the mixture and roll into wraps... This was so satisfying it was sweet and spicy and very filling...

P2 Recipes

Found these on one of the facebook HCG groups, and want to try them all...so I posted them here for easy reference!  Let me know if you try them and let me know what you think!

Apple Crisp

Filling:

1 apple
half small lemon
1 T water2 t zsweet/granulated sugar sub. (adjust amount if not using zsweet)
cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400.Peel, core, and slice/chop apple.Place apples in small baking dish.Cover with juice of 1/2 small lemon, zsweet/sugar sub., water, and few dashes of cinnamon. Toss.

Topping:

1 grissini
1t milk
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
1/4 t pumpkin pie spice

Grind grissini into a powder using food processor or coffee grinder.Add milk in 1/4 t increments. Slowly stir until mixture forms a slightly moist crumbly topping.Sprinkle on top of apple filling.Bake:Cover dish and bake 20 mins.Remove cover and broil 1-2 mins to crisp topping.

Serve immediately.
Curried Asparagus Chicken Soup

couple cups water (I used about 3)
100 grams chicken breast
asparagus (allowed amount-chopped)
1/2 t coriander
1 t curry powder
1/2 t cumin
salt / pepper to taste
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. onion powder

Poach chicken in water with spices to make broth.
Remove chicken and set aside to cool
Bring broth to a boil, add asparagus. Boil until tender.
Put asparagus with a little of the broth in blender, puree til smooth, place back in pan.
Dice chicken into cubes, and pan sear with additional curry, coriander and cumin, if desired.
Place chicken back into soup- stir well. Can let cook down to desired consistency if it's too watery. Yummy!
I go heavy on the spices, and I used hot curry powder for the extra kick, so may want to add to personal taste.

Garlic/Herb Chicken with Spicy Tomato "Relish"
100 g. chicken
onion powder
2 cloves garlic minced (or to taste) I like a LOT
generous shake of oregano, thyme, marjoram
Tomato (allowed amount)
crushed red pepper
salt/pepper to taste

Shake a generous amount of onion powder, the herbs, and garlic, and a little salt and pepper onto chicken. Rub onto chicken and place in plastic baggie to marinate for about 15 minutes.
Place in a nonstick pan with about 2 tablespoons water. Cover and poach until done. Remain covered
Dice tomato and add crushed red pepper to taste, a dash of lemon juice, onion powder, salt/pepper, and oregano. Let rest while chicken is cooking.
Pour onto chicken while still in pan and cover for about 3-5 minutes to slightly warm the tomato.

Spicy Asian Vinagrette Cucumbers
Cucumbers (allowed amount)
Splash of Braggs Amino
Splash of vinegar
Stevia to taste
Crushed red pepper

Slice cucumbers and toss in Braggs, Vinegar, stevia and crushed red pepper.
Let sit for about 10 minutes to "pickle" the cukes a bit....
Buffalo Chicken

Ingredients:
1 pound chicken breast tenders
1 cup vinegar
1 cup water
1-2 T cayenne pepper
1-2 T chili powder (adjust as needed)
Directions:
In small bowl, mix vinegar, water, and cayenne pepper. Add chicken to marinade and refrigerate for 1-2 hrs. Preheat oven to 350. Add chili powder to a small dish and dip chicken in chili powder. Place on rack in baking pan. Bake 15-20 minutes turning halfway through. Serve immediately with some homemade buffalo sauce or Frank’s Original Red Hot Sauce.

Makes 4 portions. It is wonderful sliced over salad greens.
Spicy Mustard Chicken
1 lb chicken
Juice of 2 lemon
¼ cup spicy mustard
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp cayenne pepper

Preheat broiler. Broil 1 side of chicken 5-10 mins until slightly browned. In small bowl, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Spoon mixture onto chicken. Flip over and coat other side. Broil uncooked side 5-10 mins or until no longer pink.

NOTE: This chicken stays really moist and juicy and full of flavor. Enjoy! I also like to bake this. It stays even juicier that way.


Steak (or Chicken) Pizzaiola
# 100g steak (or chicken)
# tomato (diced)
# 2-3 cloves minced garlic
# 1 t oregano
# 1 t basil
# 1/4 t chili powder
# black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Place 1/2 of the diced tomato in casserole dish.
3. Add meat on top of tomato and top with minced garlic.
4. In small bowl, toss the rest of tomato with the oregano, basil, chili powder, and black pepper. Place on top of steak.
5. Cover tightly with aluminum foil or with lid.
6. Bake 45-60 mins.

TIP: If using chicken, sear each side for a minute or two in a frying pan with a dash of salt/pepper (until just browned). Then follow with same steps as above.

Cinnamon Curry Chicken Soup
# 100g chicken - cubed
# diced onion (allowed amount)
# 2 c broth
# 3 cloves minced garlic
# 1/2 t curry powder
# 1/4 t cinnamon
# 1/4 t pumpkin pie spice
# salt/black pepper to taste

1. In saucepan, combine all ingredients.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 45 mins.

TIP: The chicken can go straight from the freezer to the saucepan or crockpot on this one. If frozen, place the breast in whole, and then when the soup is finished, cube or shred the chicken. Very flavorful

Lemon Chicken Soup
# 100g cooked chicken breast (diced or shredded)
# chopped spinach (allowed amount)
# 2-3 c broth
# Juice of 1 lemon
# 1 t thyme
# sea salt to taste
# ground white pepper to taste
1. Preheat saucepan over MED heat.
2. Combine all ingredients.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer 20 mins.
4. Serve.

TIP: This is an easy way to use up that boiled chicken you used to make your broth. You can even make this in the crockpot using uncooked or frozen chicken cut into cubes.


CHILLI
# 100g ground steak
# 1 tomato
# 1/2 c water or broth
# 3-4 cloves minced garlic
Seasonings (to taste):
# 1/2 t onion powder
# 1/2 t oregano
# 1/4 t cumin
# 1/4 t black pepper
# 1/4 t cayenne
# 1/4 t basil
# 1/4 t thyme

1. Preheat pan over MED heat.
2. Add minced garlic and 1 T of the water/broth to pan.
3. Saute 2-3 mins. Be sure not to burn the garlic. Add more water/broth as necessary.
4. Increase heat to MED-HI.
5. Add ground steak and saute until brown - about 5 mins.
6. Add all seasonings and cook an additional 3 mins. Continue to add more water/broth as necessary.
7. While that is cooking dice 1/2 of tomato and place other 1/2 in food processor or blender to puree.
8. Mix in tomatoes, puree, and rest of broth.
9. Turn heat down to MED-LO and simmer until it reaches desired consistency.
TIP: Mix all my spices together in a small bowl so I can add them all at once.

Chicken stir-fry
100 g Chicken breast
Shredded cabbage
Braggs Amino Acids
Fat free Chicken broth

I like to cook my chicken breast in a skillet with broth and water, shred it as it cooks, then add shredded cabbage (more broth/water as needed) and spray Braggs amino acids onto it (gives it that soy sauce flavor) and cook until cabbage is tender
Its filling and pretty good! I also like to use shrimp instead of chicken to mix it up a bit!

Vegetable Marinade
1 1/2 Tablespoon of Braggs Liquid Aminos
1 Tablespoon of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tablespoon of fresh squeezed Lemon Juice
Black Pepper to taste

Whish all ingredients together and pour of vegetables in Ziplock bag...let marinate about 30 minutes to 1 hour in Refrig....
Place Vegetables on George Foreman Grill...pour over excess and grill...
I used on Aspargus for Phase 2 but I am sure it would be very tasty on Zucchini for you phase 3 folks
Yummy ~Enjoy


ORANGE JULIUS

peel & slice orange....add to blender
add 5+ drops of Valencia Orange Stevia & 5+drops of Vanilla Cream---BLEND
add 1/2 c to 1 c crushed ice---BLEND

less amount of ice makes like a sorbet you can eat it with a spoon...more ice & you can slurp it with a straw!!!!

Asparagus Soup
Aspargus
Chicken broth -- be careful, choose your brand carefully
water to thin out
salt pepper
tarragon (optional, but delish)

cook til tender.. than blend to make a soup. splash a squeez of lemon at the very end.  goes with fish or chicken perfectly!


P3 Thanksgiving Recipes

Found these on one of the facebook HCG groups, and I want to be able to find them quickly, so I'm posting them here.  This is just the first of many recipe groups that I want to try that I will be posting.  Please note that I have not yet tried these recipes, nor do I know if they are good for everyone...Enjoy!

Mock Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients
* 1 medium head cauliflower
* 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
* 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
* 1/8 teaspoon straight chicken base or bullion (may substitute 1/2 teaspoon salt)
* 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh or dry chives, for garnish
* 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
Set a stockpot of water to boil over high heat.
Clean and cut cauliflower into small pieces. Cook in boiling water for about 6 minutes, or until well done. Drain well; do not let cool and pat cooked cauliflower very dry between several layers of paper towels.
In a bowl with an immersion blender, or in a food processor, puree the hot cauliflower with the cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic, chicken base, and pepper until almost smooth.
Garnish with chives, and serve hot with pats of butter.
Hint: Try roasting the garlic and adding a little fresh rosemary for a whole new taste.


Almond Flour Pie Crust

Ingredients:
* 1 and 1/2 cups almond meal or almond flour
* 3 tablespoons melted butter
* Artificial sweetener equal to 3 tablespoons sugar

Preparation:
Heat oven to 350 F. Melt the butter (if the pie pan is microwave safe, melt the butter in it) and mix the ingredients up in the pan and pat into place with your fingertips.  Bake for about 10 minutes until the crust is beginning to brown. After 8 minutes, check every minute or so, because once it starts to brown it

Piecrust recipe, this one is made with pecan flour. I think it would be best for pecan pie or pumpkin pie.

Ingredients:
* 1 cup pecan pieces (frozen)
* 2 T melted butter
* 2 T sugar equivalent from artificial sweetener of your choice
Preparation:
1. Take pecans out of the freezer and measure them into a food processor (you can use a blender, but be careful not to blend them down too small). Pulse the processor until the largest pieces are as big as lentils or split peas.
2. Add the butter and the sweetener (I prefer ”liquid Splenda”). Blend until it's mixed evenly and then quickly
3. Dump it into a pie pan, and push with your fingers to cover the bottom and sides. It should be the right consistency to mold the crust to the pie pan evenly.


Pumpkin pie recipe
Ingredients:
* 9-inch pie pastry
* 16-ounce can pumpkin
* 12-ounce can evaporated milk
* 3 eggs
* 3/4 cup artificial sweetener
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon*
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger*
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg*
* 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves*

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Beat pumpkin, milk and eggs. Beat in rest of ingredients. Pour into pastry lined pie pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F. Bake for 40 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Serve with sugar free whipped cream.

R1P2D43- Where's TOM?

Daily Weight Loss .7
Total Weight Loss 26.2
Current Weight: 162.8

Anxiously awaiting TOM, since I'm ready to get started on P3. It is not actually due for a few days but since it was early last time, I just assumed it would be this time too. I have to admit, though, that the continued weight loss for the last two days has been really nice. And I definitely don't mind if it continues and I actually reach my 30lb loss goal for R1. Fingers crossed!

Headed over to a neighbor's last night with my older son while hubby was out with the guys and his parents watched my little guy. I love the company of these woman, and the fact that these evening playdates with all of Connor's favorite friends in the neighborhood wear him out so much he sleeps really well. At the end of the night, Moms and kids alike all had a dance party. What fun!

Had a delicious dinner last night, a little variation on my first bison chili, and it only took about 5 minutes. Lets call it Kelly's Bison Chili 2:

Ingredients
100gm bison (precooked)
1 tbl onion juice (or if you can mix veggies on P2, 1/2 cup onion)
1/2 tbl Bragg's Aminos (i dont use salt since the aminos are salty)
Pepper to taste
Chili Powder
2 Plum tomatoes, or 1 regular tomato
2 tbl minced garlic (I like it garlicy)

Directions
Put onion juice in pan with garlic and tomatoes. Cook on high or medium heat until tomatoes are soft. Add in bison, braggs, and chili powder and cook until bison is heated up. Enjoy! Just a little heat, warm and filling.

Hope you have a relaxing Sunday. Me, I'm up early with the kids since hubby was out late last night. And the kids are a little wild, so I'm going to just go with it.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

R1P2D42-Date night

Daily weight loss .7
Total R1P2 loss: 25.5
Current Weight: 163.5

Love my weekly date nights with my husband.  We went to PF Changs last night (hubby loves it) and I enjoyed their chicken chopped salad without dressing or the wonton straws.  I was suprised at how good it was: mixed greens, flavorful chicken (without marinade), cabbage, fennel, and a little salt and pepper.  And funny thing, I only had a little plate but was full before I finished everything on it.

We then went to see Percy Jackson, and were pleasantly suprised how much we enjoyed it.  Both of us were interested in mythology in our youth.   When I took Latin in middle school, we devoted a whole month to reviewing it, and to see it come to life on the big screen was so cool.  Reminded me of Clash of the
Titans, without cheesy Harry Hamlin (though I did love him in LA Law).  I guess I'm really dating myself, aren't I?

Anyway, off to the gym with the youngens for a little swimming.  Happy weekend to you!

Friday, February 19, 2010

It was fun while it lasted

Up .2 today, and I feel my TOM coming on...not because I'm bloated, but because I'm being and feeling really bitchy.  I wouldn't want to admit that if it wasn't TOM :)...I need to remeber to take a deep breath and get through it. 

Did well with my eating yesterday, but did use Bragg's Aminos yesterday, so maybe that is finally catching up to me as well? 

At the office today, so need to get to work...have a great Friday everyone!  And to my not so BMB, I can't wait for our date night tonight, and I promise to be nicer to you than I was this morning...

Thursday, February 18, 2010

25 lbs down!

Dropped another 1.1 today, so Im officially 25LBS DOWN!!!! YAY!  Yippee...And today is measurement day (click to see larger):

For the occasion, I decided to take some more pics, and try a new bathing suit this time:

The last one reminds me of the pics my sis n law takes...she is so cool!  Now Im like her :)

Tried Bragg's Aminos for the first time yesterday, and I loved it!  Take just like salty soy sauce and gave my chicken and salad a kick.  I was worried that it might make me stall, based on some comments from the HCG Dieters group, but it hasn't hit me yet.  Of course, I just used a little, but it went a long way.  Looking forward to having it again today.

Also had my monthly book club last night, and it was a blast.  Didn't end up leaving until after 11pm since we lost track of time (on a school night, oops!).  In bed by 11:40, and up today at 6 when my little guy woke up.  Still saw a loss despite the lack of sleep (I normally sleep 8 hrs if I can).

Listened to the Steve G Jones recording of Weight Loss (Hypnosis Sleep Script) last nigt at bedtime, and it was nice, but not sure if  I plan on buying any others.  Ill let you know after 21 days (which is how long they say it takes to work).

Suffering through a finger infection called parynochia (infection under the cuticle with pus) on two of my left hand fingers, and a little nervous since I know the medical treatment is antibiotics and I broke out in hives after my last time on antibiotics.  Ive been trying all sorts of home remedies (ASV with warm water soak for 1/2 hr, oregano oil on and under the skin) but nothing working yet.  Im going to try another tonight that consists of sticking your infected fingers inside a lemon for 8 hrs...sounds a little messy and painful, but hopefully it will work!

Had a lovely session of Reiki today...I asked my practitioner to set an intention for me to get rid of my finger infection and candida, and to help me stabilize perfectly during P3.  It was a wonderful session, and completely fits into P2 since its not a massage.  He told me that my adrenals are working really hard right now metabolizing my fat and that I should sending healing energy to them (and once Im on P3 Ill start taking my adrenal support supplements again), in addition to a lot of mental processing (since he said there is an emotional component to my weight loss-and he was exactly right!!!!!), and my uterus and related organs (specific details would be TMI for this pg rated blog) need healing.  It was interesting and so relaxing...Have you ever tried Reiki? 

Just re-read my post and Im all over the place..sorry for that, but I feel flooded with ideas, information, and items to do from my to do list...Ill be a little more sane tomorrow.  Hope you enjoyed the Happy Dance in my last post :)...feel free to post yours!

My 25lb loss Happy Dance



Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Weightview projections

Got this from weightview app on Facebook, and it is blowing my mind.  Attached is my pic at 169 lbs and my projected 130lb pic...



VLCD Day 39-Decision Time

Loss .2
Total Loss to Date: 23.9
Current Weight: 165.1

So all my bloggy peeps, I need your help. I lost .2 yesterday, which seems to be my average now (except for the epsom salt bath fluke) and have another 4 injections. I am thinking I would like to go into P3, but am expecting TOM any day and know I shouldn't end til 3 days after TOM...

Originally my plan was to switch to SL after I was done with my injections, and go as long as I could on this R1P2...until I reach immunity or my goal of 60 lbs 'released'. If I keep losing as slowly as I am now, it would take me many weeks to get to my goal. I am really nervous about regaining during P3 however.

So do I do P3 after my TOM, or keep going on P2?

For me, the pros of staying on P2 are:
Stable diet-easy to do
Stable small losses
Feel good on HCG
Probability that I would only need to do one P3

Cons of staying on P2
Only losing average of .2 per day
Potential of doing another round and losing significant amts again

Potential cons of going into P3
Could regain
Not being able to stabilize
Going crazy and right back into my food addiction
Having to spend more time planning meals, etc
Longer potential time on diet (ie doing 2 rounds with 2 p3s)

Pros of going into P3
Could start eating more
Could start exercising
Could treat my candida
Could stabilize really well and be refreshed to start another Rd

So help me out, what should I do? What did you do?

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Header and Font

Hi guys,

Need some feedback.  What do you think of my new header and fonts?  I would love to hear your comments!

Im going to add a signature next (one I figure that one out!)...

Happy Tuesday!

VLCD Day 38

Down 1.1 today-YAY...thought that brought me to 165.4, but the Wii Fit says 165.3, so I'm going to take that!!!!!!  Maybe Ill do chicken and shrimp (and cut out the veggies once) and take an Epsom Salt bath everyday if these are the results I'm going to get.  Just realized that my last planned injection falls right at the beginning of TOM, so Im probably going to continue injecting til 3 days past TOM and then head to P3.  Not sure if I want to keep going on the sublingual (unless I keep having results like this), as I am really looking forward to eating more.  So I will keep you posted...

Have to take my son to school right now...see you tomorrow!

Monday, February 15, 2010

VLCD Day 37-is that right?

It's rough when you have a busy day at work and then at home, and can't remember what day you're on, poor me!...I think its 37...but I will still be doing 6 more injections sicnce thats how many needles will take me to 40 (due to skip days)...after that Ill be finishing my bottle of HCG sublingually unless I reach imnumity in the next 6 days...and the way my weight has been maintaining that could be happening soon...

Down .2 today, the same .2 I was down on Saturday, so back to 166.5.  Im hoping to get to 163 in the next six days, fingers crossed.  Today I ate chicken and shrimp, both really low cal, and have been drinking a lot of water, so I'm hopeful!!!!!

Got all sorts of spices at Whole Foods today...cream of tartar, mustard, celery seed, spicy shrimp rub, mexican, all purpose, as well as some 0 cal 0carb 0 sugar onion sauce and hot sauce.  Im going to try to get a little more creative in the kitchen at this tail end of the P2 into P3.  Im really having fun with cooking, and know that I will definitely be doing more of it in the future, diet or no diet.  I'm working from home tomorrow, and Im going to practice making oopsie rolls at lunchtime-if they work Ill freeze them til P3.  Really looking forward to making sandwiches and veggie pizzas with those things.  Also want to try the cauliflower pizza crust (look to the blog I link to called the lighter side of low carb for these recipes)-there are so many of them that look great!

Tonight was the first time I had shrimp throughout the protocol, and I have to admit that those nice big frozen shrimp steam up to little tiny things...I was really disappointed.  They were good, though, and really easy.  Just steamed them for 5 minutes and threw the shrimp rub on while they were steaming.  Definitely something to do if you are short on time and haven't precooked for the week yet.  I have a ton of chicken in the frig, but need to cook up some bison so I can alternate for lunch and dinner....and maybe one night Ill do steak and shrimp since I don't seem to have an issue mixing proteins (just veggies, ugh!).

Anyway, looking forward to reading all my blogroll's post today before bed, so Im off....have a GREAT evening!  And wish me luck for the next two nights-ladies night out tomorrow and book club on wednesday...can't wait til P3 when I can have some wine.

ps-I cheated a tiny bit yesterday-had three bites of my son's chicken tender from lunch-it was delicious, but definitely not worth any gain.  Im so glad I lost at least a little!!!!!!!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentines Day...

to you!  Up .2 after sampling my husband's dinner last night.  I had a total of three brussel sprouts, a tiny bite of feta, and two tiny pieces of chorizo in addition to my steak and romaine.  Im sure the calories were low enough, but maybe the addition of foods not on the protocol, no matter how small did it.  Im glad I didnt have a glass of wine, I would've probably gained a ton!

My darling hubby (who is not on this protocol) of course only gained .7 after eating all the brussel sprouts, a whole plate of sushi, feta corn fritters, and a little chorizo mac and cheese, in addition to two glasses of wine, and three beers!  Oh, the inequality...

Hubby got me an alarm clock for valentines day...a really cool one that lets me charge my iphone and ipod, has a remote, and is much less bright than my last one.  I really love it, despite the fact that I never would have imagined I needed it,  and its not a typical romantic gift.  But it IS romantic...since he saw it on a commercial and thought it would be great for me...its all in the thought...and he thought too that maybe our iphones could charge together...kinky!

All together we had a great date night last night.  Vday the movie was cheesy, but cute.  And dinner was delicious....then on to drinks (for him) and dancing with some friends.  Today is brunch with the inlaws and kiddies, and then haircuts for all. 

And I walked for another 1/2 hr yesterday...its really nice to feel good when I'm walking.

How did (or will ) you spend your valentine's day!  Remember to honor yourself on this day-you deserve it!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Rd1, VLCD Day 35-that far already?

.2 down today; current weight 166.5.

I cannot believe that so much has changed in the last month with my body.  Im only 22.8 lbs down, but I feel so much lighter than I was, and my body has changed so much.  Scars faded, hair growing, I have NAILS (OMG!!!!!), cellulite slowly going away, body smoother and flatter and so much more proportioned.  It is amazing stuff, and I feel bad for those naysayers that choose to judge this protocol instead of trying it for themselves.  I'm still nervous about my first P3, but every time I look in the mirror I am more determined to make this work, since I NEVER want to go back to 189 again!

I walked on the treadmill yesterday for the first time since starting the HCG, 35 minutes at 3.5 miles an hour, just so I didn't overdo it and see a gain today, and then I bounced on my rebounder for 10 minutes.  No foot pain, no calf pain, its a wonderful thing....I was plagued by pains all through last season, so much that it was depressing, and hard to even walk!  Granted, I did not do too much when I was walking, so that could account for no pain, but I think it also makes a huge difference that Im carrying so much less weight on my body.  I can't wait to start training for my tris!

I also made another chili attempt last night, and this time it was delicious (and its going to be lunch today, too!).  Here is the recipe:

Kelly's Bison Chili

Ingredients:
100gm Bison Ground Meat (mine was precooked and chopped up...I love bison more than beef, its leaner, less calories, and I think its tastier)
1 cup onions (include as much or as little as you like, these pack in some calories for a veggie!)
1/4 tsp minced garlic (or more, mine had more :)
2 cups chicken broth (a kind with no sugar, I used Imagine Free Range Chicken Broth)
Dash of the following spices (more or less per your taste):
cumin
nutmeg
paprika
chili powder-I put in about double this compared to the other spices, maybe 1/4 tsp?
salt to taste (the broth I used was kind of salty so Im going to skip this next time)

Mine was not spicy, just good.  If you want more heat, add some cayenne.

Directions
If meat not already cooked, brown in a pan with the onions and garlic and skip this next step.
Brown the onions and garlic in a pan (i used a little of the broth to add flavor)-cook til onions are soft
Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a pot
Once boiling, add all the spices to the pot
Stir
Add all other ingredients to the pot
Cook for approximately 10-20 minutes on medium heat (more if you like less liquid, less if you like it a little soupier).

YUM!  Share some of your favorite recipes here...I would love to try some!  Also, let me know if you ever stalled on shrimp.  I would love to try some grilled shrimp but been sticking to my bison and chili just cause its easy and predictable...

Friday, February 12, 2010

VLCD Day 34: on my way to V Day!

.7 lost yesterday, after eating chicken for both lunch and dinner, and drinking less water than normal.  For the last few days, I've felt weird trying to force down .75liters x 4, especially as I usally end up waiting til right before bedtime, so yesterday I just drank what felt right, and hoped that it wouldnt make a difference on the scale.  Glad I went with my gut.  Current weight is 166.7. 

Today I decided to try the P2 chili recipe that HCG Diet Supplies included with my supply shipment.  It sounded delicious with lots of spices: chili powder, cumin, and cayenne, as well as cabbage, chicken and chicken broth (no sugar).  Turns out it was 10x too spicy for me.  I tried to dilute it with water, add some cinnamon, some basil and thyme, nothing helped.  I gave up and tried to guess how many gms of chicken I had and then heated up some leftover Ted's Bison Steak, and had some celery sticks.  I hope that the mixing veggies doesn't come to bite me tomorrow.  I really want to see the lower 160's before I start doing SL dosing.  Im also going to try the chili later again tonight, this time with beef, onion, and the spices that my hubby uses for his chili...thats gotta be better.

Only one more day til my Valentine's dinner with my hubby, and I'm so looking forward to it.  We are trying a new restaurant, and seeing what Im going to assume will be the very cheesy "Valentines Day" movie that came out today.  And I might just have a glass of wine with dinner instead of my fruit...I had read on Happily Thinner After that some people do that without issue...so I would just then need to bump up my water intake to make sure I don't get too dehydrated.  That would be awesome...one glass is all I would need.

Been reading a really funny blog titled the Month of Zen...and wishing that I was that witty in my posts.  She hasn't posted in almost a year, though, so Im assuming she's been at goal and that's that.  I emailed her on the Happily Thinner site to see if she might be interested in contributing to the HCG Success Stories book, and hope she replies!  I need a little sarcasm and light hearted banter in my book...

And Comcast finally came back to fix their little screw up that shut all the TVs (7 of them, can you believe it?) down for the last 24 hours.  And of course they did it on a Thursday night, when our DCR has trouble keeping up with all the shows we want to watch.

So all in all, Im in good spirits, its friday, and I'm feeling the love.  Here's a little love to all of you out there too...feel free to post your V Day plans (or lack of ) here and share how you are going to show yourself a little love...

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Measurements and Reflections

So I was reading my yahoo group for some inspiration and ideas about my little stall (or whatever you want to call it), and I found that it is very normal for someone to stall (for up to two weeks) at a weight they were at previously for a few years...and that is definitely where I am right now.  I have decided as such, to suck it up, keep on trucking, and stick to my plan of 9 more injections and then SL until I either reach immunity or my goal.  I have also decided that I am going to start working out again, at least three times a week, or as desire strikes, for up to 30 minutes a day starting next week.  Nothing crazy, a little spin workout, or walking three miles, or going for a swim (not sure if the chlorine affects this, but I guess Ill see)...and track how that affects my weight.  If I'm going to be in a stall anyway, might as well do something with my body.

I also read this post, and it is wonderful (was not addressed to me, but to another that was discouraged from the group):
Sweetie, your body is losing weight in the best manner possible for IT. Honor its intelligence and wisdom in allowing you the weight reduction in such a way that your health is maintained and you are able to eat normally afterwards without gaining. Comparing myself to others is always a temptation for me, and it always gets me in trouble, so I recommend letting your body do its thing without any judgement from you, blessing it for releasing the extra fat in its own way and its own time, if at all possible.

I'm still losing inches, so that is really important.  In the past week, I've lost 2.85inches...so that is good.  The fat is definitely still moving around, or being released.  I just need to get over my scale number fixation...and try those size 12s again and see how they fit (after wearing them for an hour last week, everything felt like it was closing in...definitely a little too tight once I sat down).

Here are my measurements (click to see them larger):

RD1, VLCD Day 33

Big ole goose egg this morning!  I am SOSOSOSOSOSOSOS frustrated.  And that was even after I did my every three day bathroom visit...so I would have gained if not for that.  I have NO idea why...I added more water yesterday since I am so sick of seeing .2 or .4,  I ate an apple and strawberries, had bison (always eat this instead of beef) and chicken, had different veggies, romaine and tomatoes, all the things that I normally do to lose a little more, and NOTHING! 

Am I ovulating?  Is it not working for me anymore?  Don't think it would be that one, since they say if you reach immunity you start getting really hungry and start looking gaunt...

And what sucks even more is that the family has cabin fever, and we are stuck inside again, and that just makes me long for stress eating.  I actually dreamed about eating chocolate last night.  And there are goodies in the house leftover from our Superbowl party that are calling my name.  I might try to take Connor to the movies today just to get out of the house, but that will be possible only if my youngest's school is open and my husband takes him before heading off to work at 10am.  I'll also make hubby take all those yummy things to work with him for his branch luncheon today.

I really wanted to be able to do this for the long haul, switching to SL for a month or so before going to P3...but is my body going to let me?  I can't take too much longer of being within the same 2 lbs for the last two weeks.  Today is measurement day, and Im exactly 1.7 lbs down since last Thursday.  I used to lose that in 1 day!  I so hope that my measurements show a loss, because otherwise, I'll be really depressed...

I know, this is a journey, its so awesome I've lost 21 lbs, and still, I'm down.  Tomorrow will be better.  Maybe Ill do an apple day just to trick my mind into thinking Im doing something to get myself out of this rut.