The Revolving Diet

Day 341 ~ Summary of Chicken Soup Diet

Last week’s Chicken Soup Diet could not have fit in at a better time.  With the cold that knocked me for a loop – Chicken Soup was the only thing I wanted to eat.

As I said throughout the week – the recipe for the Chicken Soup was delicious.  Keeping in mind that I had a cold and I could barely talk, breath or smell – maybe you can’t hold me totally responsible for saying the soup was delicious – BUT – in the state I was in, the soup was the perfect remedy for the cold and the weeks diet!

 In comparison to the Cabbage Soup – I would take the Chicken Soup hands down!  At least I didn’t get the gift of excessive gas with Chicken Soup!  Eating Chicken Soup was just tastier!

 Doing the soup for the majority of week – until 12/24 & 12/25 – then back on it, I had lost weight earlier in the week and then the holidays hit and CARB OVERLOAD took the place of Chicken Soup.  For the week I gained (5 pounds) but not attributed to the Chicken Soup diet - - the massive amounts of real food, cookies and goodies put me over the edge.

 Would I do the Chicken Soup diet again….YES!  In the winter a DEFINITE YES!! 

 As far as calories consumed -  - I’d have to say it was pretty close to total calories consumed on the Swedish Diet - - but the warmth of hot soup was very filling (again, not a real big appetite because I was sick the week).  

 I can not say for certain that I would have been completely satisfied eating soup while being healthy….but I would do again when not sick to see if my feelings toward eating a steaming hot bowl of soup for lunch and dinner all week would provide a satisfying feeling to keep me on soup for the week.

*** DO NOT DO ANY DIET WITHOUT TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR FIRST ***

Day 340 ~ 12/26/10

I hope EVERYONE had a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!!

  I was down about 2 pounds before Christmas....now 5 pounds up!

I DEFINITELY did!!   Spending time with family THE BEST EVER!!  Laughing and being comfortable with those that know you best only makes the holidays (and really anytime) a GREAT TIME!!

I am no longer suffering from the worse cold ever....I am now recuperating from CARB OVERLOAD!!!!!!!!!!

I thought Thanksgiving was bad......Christmas took it to a WHOLE 'NOTHER LEVEL!!!!!!!!  Is it possible that between two families they received gift baskets and chocolates from "Gertrude Hawk", "Harry & David", "Figi", "Russel Stover", "Hershey's", "Williams Sonoma", "See's Chocolates", "GODIVA", Popcorn Factory" and not share??  There were so many "EXTRA's" - the picking alone added over 3000 calories!!!  No one really needed to make the 12 different varieties of cookies, apple pie, chocolate pudding pie, buttermilk pie, orange ricotta pound cake, cakes, puddings and ice cream....Oh, Yeah....fruit and nuts too!!!

Christmas Eve started off within the Chicken Soup Diet ....Breakfast and Lunch - on target.  Dinner was at my sisters who put together a wonderful steak dinner with mashed potatoes, corn and crescent rolls and more...In a  last minute trip to the grocery store - I stumbled across these:

 
 
Hubby says they left off the salt - could of been so much better if they left the salt on crackers....Trust me - not bad at all.

Christmas Day....NO DIETING AT ALL.....Since being sick I hadn't finished wrapping gifts so as soon as I woke up it was a mad rush to find appropriate boxes, wrap and pack, then the mad rush to shower and put together what I was bringing to my mother-in-laws.....Made an AWESOME "Buffalo Chicken Dip" (for both my sisters and mother--laws)....see recipe below - it was a MAJOR HIT!!!!  Use the low fat (or non fat) cream cheese and serve with celery sticks (to cut calories) you can also serve with the scoops or dippers corn chips...

We didn't get a chance to relax until we got home last night and to tell you the truth the snow today was a welcome sight as we resigned ourselves to stay in ALL DAY ....

Back on track today:

Breakfast: 1 cup  nonfat Chobani vanilla yogurt, 1 teaspoon wheat germ, 1 apple

Lunch: 2 cups Chicken Soup

Snack: 1 Cup Chicken Soup

Dinner: 2 Cups Chicken Soup

Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe 

 2 8oz cream cheese

2 cups cooked chopped chicken (I used the pre-cooked Tyson)

8 oz shredded cheese (save some for top)

Approx (1/3 to 1/2 bottle) Franks Red Hot

Approx (1/3 to ½ bottle) Ranch

 Mix the cream cheese until soft, spread layer on bottom of pan.  Mix remaining ingredients testing flavor to your taste.  Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes until bubbly

Have a SUPER NIGHT!!  Stay warm and SNUG!!  Back to work tomorrow - Next weeks diet to be posted later tonight or tomorrow morning!!!

Say what you mean and act how you feel, because those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter.

Day 337 ~ 12/23/10

Losing slow but steady....still not enough energy (or desire) to exercise.  Could not do the prune juice (personal taste, just not for me) -----

Breakfast: 1/2 large whole-wheat bagel that is topped with 1 ounce of melted fat-free cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup grapefruit juice

Lunch: 2 cups chicken soup

Dinner: 2 cups chicken soup

Snack: 1 cup chicken soup

It always seems the holidays come in a rush…BUT take time for yourself.  ENJOY the holidays  – it’s always nice to get – but it is much better to GIVE!  Take pleasure in seeing peoples faces light up with just a visit.  A gift does not have to be bought from a store or come in a pretty box – sharing quality time together is the best gift of all.  As you get older you realize that spending time together is more important than any gift.  There are people that we have loved that are no longer with us and believe me if I could – they would be here right now just to share a laugh and good conversation.  Don’t take advantage of your own good fortune and ignore those you love (it might be unintentional) – everyday life gets in the way of close relationships, don't let it take away the pleasure of enjoying the ones you love!

Have a TERRIFIC night!!! 

Why wait for tomorrow to have fun, when tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone.

Day 336 ~ 12/22/10

Starting to get my appetite back and the soup is still satisfying!  It helps that it has been cold out too, there is nothing like a warm bowl of soup to take the chill out of the body.

No major surprise as meals go....

Breakfast: 1 1/2 cups Total cereal, 1/2 cup of skim milk, 1/2 cup of calcium enriched orange juice

Lunch: 2 cups Chicken Soup

Dinner: 2 cups Chicken Soup

Tomorrow my company is having a luncheon in the office and it's a 1/2 day....I am more excited about the 1/2 day as I have got to finish (more like start)  shopping and baking!!  Hubby going out with some friends tomorrow so I have the house to myself to bake and just blast the holiday music....also, looking forward to watching The Christmas Story (several times) - can't get enough of the "Scut Farkus Affair", "Red Ryder Carbine Action 200 shot  range model air rifle", "triple dog dare you", "the Bumpus dogs", "Major Award Leg lamp"and so much more....

One more idea for the “last minute” …. The holidays are a  wonderful time to get out of your own home and either walk around your neighborhood or pack a thermos of hot cocoa and drive around several neighborhoods just looking at lights.  When you have done all you can (no more baking, no more shopping, no more wrapping…) the chance to unwind and enjoy the season presents itself in the wonderful light displays some people have done to their own homes.  You may be thinking to yourself “kinda boring” – but if you put the Christmas music on your radio and drive around with your hot cocoa – you will slowly feel the tension melting away and start to enjoy the holiday.  It’s an inexpensive opportunity to do alone or with family and friends.  You can pick the time limit – even if you have a party or you are going to visit someone – leave the house a little earlier and take in the light displays.

Have a WONDERFUL night!!!!

Work like you don’t need the money, dance like no-one is watching and love like you have never been hurt.

Day 335 ~ 12/21/10

First THANK YOU ALL for the well wishes!!  My main concern is just getting rid of this cold - most of which is sitting in my throat - - - One of my hardest things to do is not talk and believe me - - it's been rough!!  Although I am not the type of person who likes to hear myself talk (I am sure you have come across several pople in life that are all BLAH, BLAH, BLAH...Me, Me.Me)....I just do not care for silence when good conversation can be exchanged.

As I mentioned yesterday - - the Chicken Soup Recipe is very good!  Even if you were not to do this diet - - the recipe is well worth making!

Breakfast: 1 cup of ricotta cheese combined with 1/2 teaspoon of sugar and a dash of cinnamon, 2 pieces of toasted whole-grain bread

Lunch: 1 cup Chicken Soup

Dinner: 2 Cups Chicken Soup

Snack: 1 cup Chicken Soup

I left work at lunchtime today as I got no sleep last night - with all the codeine in me from yesterday my head was so fuzzy and I couldn't keep my eyes open, I needed to sleep.  I had a bowl of soup - took medicine and slept for 5 hours....got up had more soup and once I finish this quick update I am  heating up another bowl and setting up myself to watch a movie (Transporter 3 - Jason Straham - YUMMY).

I want to apologize for my delay in getting back to messages (I have read them) - but I am really trying to get better....this is probably he worse cold/flu I have ever had - - and I am not a whiner!! 

I hope all of you are HEALTHY!!  Keep drinking that OJ and staying warm, cover your throat and wear a hat - I do not wish this on anyone!

P.S. The Summary of the Swedish Diet to finish - - coming soon!!

Have a WONDERFUL night!!

I am not discouraged because every wrong attempt discarded is a step forward

Day 334 ~ 12/20/10

This is a MAJOR delayed post.

Yesterday was a blur.  I had a doctors appointment last night at 6:45pm and was not seen by doctor until 9pm.  He was running late all day and it pushed everyone back.  I did get cough syrup, cough pills, inhaler and antibiotics.  Ended up geting home after 10 pm - ate some soup, took some pils and went to bed.....

Hopefully now on the road to geting over this extreme cold/flu!!! 

The Chicken Soup - easy to make and DELICIOUS!!!!

Breakfast: 1 cup Greek Chobbani nonfat vanilla yogurt and 1/2 cup of fruit salad sprinkled with wheat germ. (used theKirshners Honey Wheat germ...yummy)

Lunch: 2 cups Chicken Soup

Dinner:  1 cup Chicken Soup

As I said before - the day was a blur.  I ened up going into work late as I did not sleep well Sunday night with all the coughing - I was so tied that I just could not get going.  Continuing with no exercise as I just have no energy.

Take care of yourselves - DO NOT GET THIS COLD/FLU - it really knocks you out....I still have shopping to complete and I am just too tired to do it!

I hope your yesterday was great! And today goes smoothly!

Go confidently In the direction of your Dreams. Live the life you've imagined