The Revolving Diet

Summary of the FAT to Skinny Fast & Easy Diet

The amount of food I could have, the variations of foods and the substitutes of foods that could be worked into this diet have have been more than good in keeping me on this diet.  The only limitations of me eating more was the fact that the GG Bran Crispbread's filling affects has been more than satisfactory. At  first I thought it was just me.  I packed the crackers with some almond butter for hubby and when he got home from work he stated that the crackers filled him to the point where normally he would be searching for a snack before I got home from work and didn’t feel the need to.

The first week I had sugar cravings – the second week barely any.  From what the author, Doug Varrieur advised me - minimum of two weeks is suggested to get the sugar under control and I have to agree with him.  Using either Sweet & Low in my iced tea (which I normally do) and then also in my latte (which was okay, not a favorite but passable) and using xylitol when I baked made the difference in keeping those sugar cravings away.

I notified Doug before starting this diet and he was more than helpful – THANKS DOUG!

The book – EASY to read and understand.  The website – EASY to navigate and questions asked were answered quickly (sometimes by more than one person).  The recipes in the book and off the website, pretty much fool-proof. Recipes I made were family friendly (so no reason to make multiple meals for family members.)

This diet offers opportunity to be a slacker (eat fast food) or use your long hidden culinary skills and really mix up your food options.  It’s just not a high protein low carb diet.  I did not feel like I was dieting (other than the Sweet & Low in my Latte and not having ice cream, substituted ice cream… I personally, just could not do).  Substitutions were outlined and suggested for just about anything you could think of.  Even Doug’s wife will assist in helping make a favorite recipe of your own fit within the diet (within reason).

The book and site are BRIGHT YELLOW & BRIGHT RED (as I outlined originally) – you can’t put the book down without being drawn to read certain parts again just because it sticks out.  The site is the same way (do not open at work if you shouldn’t be online – dead giveaway if you are surfing the net).

I liked this diet.  I liked this diet more than Atkins.  I liked that I could find things to satisfy my hunger and my cravings and not feel cheated.

I suggest checking out the site and just try a couple of the recipes and see for yourself how easy and tasty they are.  You do not need to go full tilt to see if you would like the food - take a test drive on some of the substitutions and make your own decision if you would like to go further with it.

Check the site out: http://www.fattoskinny.com/

Check the book out of your local library –or- order online through the site or Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402771339/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Would I do this diet (way of life) again – ABSOLUTLY!  No hesitation whatsoever!

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

Day 157.2 ~ 6/27/11

Roller Derby Day!!!

We had a blast - up early and headed to Philadelphia for opening games....

 
Most my pictures came out like this - just fast woman whipping around a flat track.  It was exciting!!

The annoucers saying names of the Roller Derby participants over loudspeakers can really crack you up!! Carnage Electra, Missy Nigma, Wendy Whiplash, Mary The Motha, Leggs Benedict, Belle Diablo, Roxy, Elbowa, Shamblock, Rhode Kill, Bleeding Rainbow, Slap Jack, Miss Behaved, Blood Clottia, Taz Maniac, Muse of Bruise, The Crippler, Friction Vixxxen, Yvette YourMaker, Wanda Wreckya and many, many more talents skaters  (some names sound kinda porno though)....even the Ref's had some good names...Justin Sanity, Victor Von Refenstein, The Albino Wookie, Tripp N. Dale, Three Day Bender, Gravity Kills, The Screamstress and again, many, many more.

 
Food Choices at the Roller Derby....

 
They were so nice - I was debating how to ask for a couple of slices of cheese and they offered to make me eggs and bacon...Being nice and asking questions can even get you something within your diet when the offerings are SLIM!!

 
It doesn't look too apetizing - but it wasn't bad...I am more proud of myself for sticking to plan on the last day of this diet!!

Overall pretty good day on the last day of this diet...I am bushed up early, long drive there and back!  Going to bed shortly...

Breakfast: 2 GG Bran Crispbread, 2 tablespoons Almond Butter, latte

Lunch: 2 scrambled Eggs & 1 slice bacon

Dinner:  2 Chicken Braciole (chicken breast filled with cheese rolled and cooked in tomato sauce, (no sugar) tomato sauce, spring mix salad with tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, olives and oil & basalmic vinegar dressing

Snack: Sugar Free Pistachio pudding with whipped cream

Have a WONDERFUL NIGHT!

I hope you had as much fun as I did this past weekend!!!

Day 156.2 ~ 6/25/11

We didn't make the car shopping today...ended up staying up really late (3am) last night and today ended up being a clean up the house day, since we are going to be away next weekend...car shopping will have to be after vacation...As cleaning is exercise, it is all the workout I got today...but kickboxing starts next week and if I am lucky I might make one class before our mini-getaway.

Gorgeous day outside - hopefully you got the opportunity to get out and enjoy the fresh air!!

Today's Meals:

Breakfast: 1 Flaxseed/Coconut Rolls (the ones I baked the other day), 1 HB egg

Lunch:  4 oz chicken breast, small salad (spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, 2 tablespoon low carb russian dression)

Snack: Ice tea, 2 GG Bran Crispbread, 2 tablespoons fresh ground Almond butter

Dinner:  2 Swiss Cheese burger sliders (on my rolls), low sugar ketchup, ice tea

 
I cut a 6 oz burger in half and put each piece on a roll, tooped with swiss & a pickle - my version of a slider....totally delicious and I am full!!!!!!

WOW - OH - WOW !!!  I didn't get a chance to hit Trader Joe's for my usual Almond Butter and happened to mention it to the owner at the Health Food store and he pointed some out on the shelf and then told me they make FRESH Almond Butter and Peanut Butter...had to try - - OMG!!!  If you have never tried FRESHLY GROUND ALMOND BUTTER - nothing added, you have got to see if your local Health Food store makes it.  What a major taste difference!!!  I am completely hooked!  Sorry Trader Joes, but I have to quit your Almond Butter...the Health Food stores is a bit more expensive $9.99 per pound, but totally worth it!

I am going to try and make a small batch of low carb Almond Butter Cookies sometime this weekend and see how they come out....I will update with my findings and recipe.

Nothing much else going on....Just excited about Roller Derby tomorrow!!! 

Update will be late tomorrow!

Have a wonderful night and a SUPER SUNDAY!!!!

It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.
 

 

Day 155.2 ~ 6/24/11

This diet is coming to an end (SUNDAY) and onto a new one come next week. 

I have nothing bad to say about this diet (my usual summary will be done this weekend).  So far, so good.  I have (almost) lost all my vacation weight (another mini vacation coming up this 4th of July....~ I WILL BE GOOD ~ I WILL BE BETTER THAN LAST VACATION ~ I WILL DO THE BEST I CAN....)

I have not walked my usual lunchtime walk between the weather either being too hot, I had running around to do at lunch, it rained...or I just did not feel like it.  I still have the energy that I normally have, no drop in it and I feel good.  My clothes are not as snug llike they were at the end of vacation, I actually think (in my humble opinion) that they feel even better, maybe even a little more loose.

It's Friday and like me you are probably ready for the weekend!  We are going car shopping Saturday and I am going (WAIT FOR IT.......)  to ROLLER DERBY!!!!!  I am so EXCITED!!!  When I was a kid I loved watching Roller Derby on TV, the semi-recent WHIP IT movie with Drew Barrymore & Christine Wiig brought back my desire to see it in person....We being - my sister and my neice (possibly two neices) and me and we are not only going to one Roller Derby Game - we are going to a MAJOR COMPETITION, that is actually a 3 Day Event!  We are going on the last day due to scheduling issues between us.

S.O.               V.E.R.Y.                E.X.C.I.T.E.D.........

Enough of that.....

Today's Meal's

Breakfast:  2 Scrambled Eggs, 2 slices bacon, 1 slice american cheese, 2 GG Bran Crispbread, hazelnut latte

Lunch:  Chicken Salad (chopped chicken, mayo, dill, mustard) rolled in lettuce leaves, 2 Cheese sticks, 3 Beanit Cookies

Dinner:  Crab Cakes lightly dusted with parmesan cheese and oven baked, mixed veggies

Snack:  Turkey Pepperoni & Pepperjack Cheese, 2 GG Bran Crispbreads

Whatever you have planned for this weekend, ENJOY IT and TREATYOURSELF...YOU DESERVE IT!!

You don't have to be better than everybody else. You have to be better than you ever thought you could be.

Day 154.2 ~ 6/23/11

Up late last night making "low carb bread" see below....very tired today.

Breakfast: 2 GG Bran Crsipbread Crackers, 2 Tableseppon Almond Butter,  hazelnut latte

Lunch: Leftover Chicken parmesan over lettuce & Tomato salad, about 7 green olives, 3 Beanit Cookies (I am actually starting to like these)

Dinner: Tilapia Oreganato (without breadcrumbs) butter, garlic, parm cheese.

Snack: Turkey pepperoni, pepperjack cheese 

After finishing posting blog last night, I was on a mission to make low carb bread.  I ran out and got my main ingredients - because really, who keeps Golden Flax Seed & Coconut Flour in the house?  Forty minutes later, I had Focaccia Bread (the three slices on the right I added rosemary & sea salt):

 
Then feeling pretty good after I had a warm piece with melted butter on it and slipping hubby a piece (he thought I made cornbread....REALY LOVES CORNBREAD)... I was thinking of what the possibility would be to make this recipe into rolls so that I could have a cheeseburger on an actual roll instead of a plate with some lettuce, tomato and onions.  Well I did pat myself on the back after these little beauty's were done (those little green things on the rolls on the left - pumpkin seeds):

 

 FOCACCIA BREAD & ROLLS RECIPE

1-1/2 Cup Golden Flax Seed Meal (not flour)

1/2 Cup Coconut Flour

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon Salt

1-2 Tablespoon sugar equivalent**

3 Full Eggs, 4 Egg Whites

1/3 cup oil

3/4 Cup Water

 

Preheat oven to 350.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper sprayed with Pam (spray cooking oil)

 

Mix dry ingredients. Then whip eggs, add to dry mix along with the rest of your wet ingredients (except water).  Once pretty blended in start to add your water slowly incorporating it.  Once all blended your batter will be thick but pourable.  Pour it onto your prepared cookie sheet and spread to cover bottom evenly.  Bake in oven for about 20-25 minutes.  This doesn't truly brown like regular bread - but consistency is like Focaccia bread and does have a mild cornmeal taste. 

 

For the rolls - I cut water down to 1/2 cup & used a 1/4 cup to measure out & sort of form each roll - I was only able to get 10 rolls out of the batch doing it this way.

 

** I used Xytitol as my sugar substitute (4 teaspoons) which bumped my carbs up - but still not too bad 

 

Carb Count:

Entire Recipe: 24 Carbs, minus 9 Fiber = 15 Carbs

Each slice of bread = 1.25 Carbs

Each Roll = 1.5 Carbs

Calling it an early night....or what I am really doing....NOTHING.  Hanging out and just relaxing!

 

Have a WONDERFUL NIGHT!!!!

 

Willingness + readiness + ability = destination

 

Day 153.2 ~ 6/22/11

Another day of feeling refreshed and great!  I am still so on  the side of these GG Bran Crispbread as far as keeping me full.  Having with breakfast and lunch does keep me satisfied until I get home for dinner!

 

Got a quick 30 minute walk in this afternoon, I have been pushing myself to go faster and I am going further WOO HOO!

 

Breakfast: 2 GG Bran Crispbread, 2 Tablespoons Almond Butter

Lunch: Ham & Swiss rolled in lettuce, 2 GG Bran Crsipbread

Snack: 3 Beanit (Soybean) Cookies

Dinner:  Oven Baked Parmesan Chicken, 2 cups mixed veggies

 

Oven Baked Parmesan Chicken - Very Low Carb

 

3 Chicken Breasts, sliced thinly

2 Eggs

Just under a 1/4 cup heavy cream

Parmesan Cheese (I used 1/2 container of Kraft)

Oregano, 2 tablespoons (more/less to your taste)

Garlic Powder, 1 tablespoon (more/less to your taste)

Pepper, 1 teaspoon (more/less to your taste)

Olive Oil)

 

Preheat oven to 375.

 

I used a cookie sheet layered with non-stick aluminum foil for easy clean-up wiped bottom with olive oil.

 

Whip eggs with fork and add heavy cream in bowl.  On plate mix the remaining dry ingredients.  Dredge each piece of chicken through egg & cream mix, then place onto parmesan mix and coat then place in your pan.

Once all coated chicken is in pan, I did a very light sprinkle of olive oil over each piece.

Place in oven and cook for 20 minutes + ......once bottom seems to be getting crispy brown, flip and cook another 15 minutes + (depending on your oven depends how fast it will finish browning.)

 

YUMMY!!  With the added spices you feel like you are eating regular fried cutlets without the extra greasy oil, those are one of  my old favorites for dinner, but this was a nice substitute!

 

Makes enough for dinner for two and leftover lunch for tomorrow in a salad!!

I have been craving a grilled cheese sandwich and in my crave mode and doing low carb bread is not allowed - only one thing to do....I searched and found a recipe for very low carb bread.  Tonight I will bake up a batch and update with pictures tomorrow the results.

 

Have a great night!!!

 Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of

Day 152.2 ~ 6/21/11

Today is the OFFICIAL First day of Summer (per the calendar).

 Have you already reached your weight loss/exercise goals and are maintaining?

Are you close to your weight loss/exercise goals?

Have you surprised yourself by sticking to a program?

Are you just praying for the week to be over and looking forward to a "cheat" day?

Have you just said "F*** It" and you'll get back to dieting once they come out with a painless way to diet, the kids go back to school -or- you just had it and it's time to focus on something else?

 Dieting sucks. I COMPLETELY AGREE.  Those first couple of weeks when the weight seems to drop off effortlessly, we are euphoric!  Then the weight goes into a slow creep mode, that is frustrating!

 Don't give up!!  You have come this far - or - you are just getting started...if what you have been doing has stalled, then try something else.  There is no law that says you have to pick a diet and stick with it until you lose all your weight.

 Having to actually admit you need to diet whether for vanity, health issues or just to fit into an old pair of jeans is life altering to the core.  You ask yourself - how did I let myself go?  When did I throw all caution to the wind and say SCREW IT, I'll eat what I want and deal with the consequences later.....LATER IS NOW!

 I want to lose weight and I want you to reach your own individual goals.  I am doing this for my own selfish reasons - vanity and health, screw an old pair of jeans - I am trying to get into my old wedding dress. I may or may not do it, but I am trying and that's the most I can ask of myself.  I want you to succeed too!  Do you think I write his blog to hear myself (okay type to myself)??  I am sounding like someones mother here - not to be too preachy...but COME ON - MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOURSELF FOR YOURSELF!!!!

 Okay, I am done (for now)....onto Today's Meals:

 Breakfast: 1-1/2 cups broccoli florets with 2 teaspoons butter

Snack: 2 GG Bran Crispbread with 2 tablespoons almond butter

Lunch: Boars head Low Sodium Ham rolled with Swiss Cheese, sliced cucumber, 2 GG Bran Crispbread

Dinner: Steamed Chicken & Broccoli (Chinese Take-out)

Snack:  3 Beanit Cookies (Soybean Cookies) - I am getting used to these - they are much better COLD!

 

The Chinese was hubby's idea - he was in the mood....I went healthy, although if I had any idea that I would be having more broccoli for dinner (I can not be blamed for any odorous gas that escapes my body), I would not have made the rash decision to make it for breakfast....although an odd choice for breakfast (we were out of eggs) it was filling and I was sort of craving some greens.

I've got grocery shopping to do (EGGS high on the list) and laundry - the weekneds come and go too quick and when you have running around to do, nothing in the house gets done!

Have an AWESOME NIGHT!!!

One more thing....Here I go again...sounding like someones mother - Maybe I am preachy... MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOURSELF FOR YOURSELF!!!!

Day 151.2 ~ 6/20/11

I decided to stick this diet out one more week.  In correspondence via email from Doug Varriuer (author of the FAT to Skinny Fast & Easy) it takes most people at least two weeks to break the sugar addiction.

During this past week, I have noticed my energy level has been higher and although I did not lose a boatload of weight loss, I have lost almost all I gained on vacation and my clothes are fitting a bit better as my stomach does not seem as bloated.  I find myself referring back to the book and site for motivation.  For me (and probably most of you) reading and seeing others weight loss success can motivate you further.   I find that the bright yellow book and site with some  weight loss testimonials right on the main page very motivational. I am also going to try and steer away from the heavier/fattier meat and cheese choices this week and try to have more chicken and fish.  So onto another week of trying more recipes and dropping some more weight!

Today's Meals

Breakfast: 2 HB eggs, 2 GG Bran Crispbread with 2 tablespoons almond butter

Lunch: Tuna salad over a bed of lettuce, slice tomatoes & cucumbers, 2 "Beanit Butter" cookies (made yesterday), 1 GG Bran Crispbread

Dinner: Shrimp Scampi, steamed broccoli topped with parmesan cheese

Snack: 10 slices turkey pepperoni, 5 slices pepper jack cheese

Gave hubby a couple ofthe GG crackers today with lunch today - the first thing he said to me when I got home was that the crackers really filled him up - he couldn't believe it.  Usually when he gets home from work he is rooting through the cabinets looking for something, today he was satisfied and waited for dinner.  I might have to order another 1/2 case if he keeps eating them!

Got my lunchtime walk in and I am just feeling great! 

Have a SPECTACULAR NIGHT!!

Being yourself and sticking to your own goals will bring you confidence you never knew you had!

 

 

Day 150.2 ~ 6/19/11

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dad's out there! 

Today is your day to shine - so take advantage of it!!

We had a full schedule today - the tree guy coming to look at my big tree where the deadbeat bee's are living with out paying rent, my neices dance recital and Father's Day dinner at a new Mexican place in the area.

First thing this morning I made Beanit Butter Cookies , one of the dessert recipes off the FAT to Skinny website. Beanit Butter is Soybean Butter.  From my understanding it's good for people that have peanut butter allergies but love peanut butter.  My local health food store did not have this brand so I opted for I M Healthy, no sugar added.  Per the label only 1 Net Carb per serving.

 

Ingredients

2 cups Beanit Butter (Your peanut butter)
  1 cup xylitol
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder

Preheat oven to 350.
Beat eggs in a medium size bowl.
Add xylitol to eggs. Mix well.
Add Beanit butter and baking powder. Mix until all ingredients combined well.
Grease cookie sheet.
Roll dough into balls and place on cookie sheet.
Flatten balls twice with fork.(crisscross)
Cook for 8 minutes. Cool on rack. Refriderate to firm after they cool.Store in Fridge.

Per the Fat to Skinny site....Carbohydrate count is: 2 carbohydrates for ENTIRE RECIPE!

I added a teaspoon of vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon.  Cookies are more cakelike than regular peanut butter cookies.  The first one tasted odd and they grow on you.  Hubby thought the cinnamon added a nice flavor although he thought I should of added a bit more to cover the soybean taste - For a substitute dessert these weren't a bad alternative.

 

Breakfast:  2 Soybean Cookies (had to try right away), 2 GG Bran Crispbread crackers and 2 tablespoons almond butter, 1 latte (used xylitol instead of sweet & low...much better)

Lunch: 1 BBQ Chicken Breast, tomatoes , mozzerella & basil salad with balsamic vinegar

Dinner: Steak Ranchero cubed steak in a tomatoe based sauce with olives, peppers, onions and tomatoes), ice tea

Dinner also had a side of rice & beans..completley skipped (YEAH for me!!)

Wonderful day !!  I hope your day was EXTRA SPECIAL and you were able to have a wonderful Day with your Dad...

Have a SUPER NIGHT!!

A great aspect in this world is not so much where we stand, but what direction we are moving

Happy Fathers Day  & THANK YOU shout out to my Dad!!

 

 

Day 149.2 ~ 6/18/11

Happy Saturday to you!

I held off posting for a while thinking I would figure out what is for dinner -- but I am not hungry.

I had my first temptation I fought off diligently (you guys would be so proud)!!  We were invited over my mother-in-laws for pizza and I ordered a cheese salad, it was the only thing I could think of that would be okay to have.  Four pizza's laid in front of me and I concentrated on my salad until about 3/4 of the way done and then I had and epiphany.....I could have the cheese off the pizza...the cheese having some tomato sauce would give me "ALMOST" the taste of pizza without eating the carbs....after I peeled off the cheese and proceeded to eat it - - hubby turned to me and quietly asked "you are going to waste the pizza just for the cheese"???  In my best calm voice, I replied..."It's much beter than me inhaling the 3-4 slices I would really like to have instead of a salad".  He understood and later told me he was very proud of me being so strict with myself in keeping on track with this diet.

Today's Meals:

Breakfast: 2 GG Bran Crispbread, 2 Tablespoons almond butter, Scrambled Eggs (3 egg white, 1 full egg)

Lunch: Large Cheese Salad (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, oil & vinegar dressing), Cheese/tomato sauce off 1 slice of pizza

Snack: 4 Joseph's Sugar Free Chocolate Chip cookies

Dinner: It's 7:25pm and I am not hungry.....

Not sure if I will be hungry later but in trying to plan ahead, if I am I have plenty of items to choose from - Turkey pepperoni, chicken breast, a burger, HB eggs, veggies....so no bad stuff!!

The Joseph's Lite Sugar Free Cookies...come in several varieties (Chocolate Chip, Lemon, Oatmeal, Peacan Shortbread and more)  and I stumbled upon them at a local dollar store by where I work.  Each cookie is the size of a half dollar coin and 4 are a serving, not the usual dessert fare as far as size goes but if you are looking for something sweet to help a craving these are pretty good...they also carry brownies that are Sugar Free - I ordered from site but haven't received yet.

Link to site: http://www.josephslitecookies.com/

I was proud of myself for not caving!!  With me still trying to drop vacation weight (and knowing we have a mini vacation getaway planned for 4th of July) I am really trying to keep it together!

I hope your day went well....tomorrow is Fathers Day and I have another obstacle to face - Dinner at a Mexican Restaurant, where chips and Marguerita's will be close in reach!!  I'll fill you in on how well that went tomorrow!

Have a SUPER SATURDAY NIGHT!!!

 There is no achievement without goals.