The Revolving Diet

Day 294 ~ Summary of High School Reunion Diet

To start ….down 1.4 pounds for the week.  On the Okinawa diet the week before I was down 1.3 – and I had a little more variety this week!!

One of my favorite things is to have the diet basically written out for me and with the High School Reunion diet it was laid out daily by each meal.  I made my own small adjustments (taking out what I do not like) but overall the week went smoothly (not counting my Chocolate Milkshake breakdown)

 Goes to show if you do watch what you eat for the most part, if you slip you don’t kill the diet!!!

There were some good recipes (the Frittata was REALLY GOOD!!!) and I had leftovers that I froze!!! 

The book was easy to read with some funny parts. Once you make it through Level one (where you have lost between 5-10 pounds)  Because I have been dieting all along I am not going to lose that initial water weight you lose on the first week of a diet....it's onto Level Two.  It states once you are on Level Two "you don't need to lose more than a couple of pounds, most likely at your waist" (that's where most of mine is!!)  At Level Two you can add the suggested fruits, whole grains, non-white rice, whole wheat pasta and have wine with meals.

Overall the diet is good - it assists you in giving up trans fats, processed foods with high sugar content, no-fat labeled foods, instant and fast foods and dessert (bummer - but hey it's a diet). 

Do I think you can Lose 20 years in 30 Days?  With eating all the fruits and "better for you" foods - it will make your skin healthier and you will feel better.

We all look good when we drop 10-20 pounds....some of us need to lose more to even see a difference -I definitely think if followed as written with making your own choices (use set diet as guideline) you will look better in 30 days ....will you look 20 years younger - I do not know.  But having a healthy glow and feeling better is the best feeling EVER!!

Would I do this diet again - Yes.  It was easy to follow and make adjustments when needed. I was satisfied and not over full  and no bathroom issues!!

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

Day 292 ~ 11/7/10

I hope you remembered to turn your clocks back!!  I changed mine at about 2:30pm this afternoon - I had gotten up and started cleaning and cooking, completely forgot about it!!

Today went as well as this past week - no major surprises other than I lost .1 condsidering I had the chocolate milkshake yesterday!

 Breakfast: Magnificent Seven 3: Fiesta Frittata.  Water

 

AM Snack:  Orange, water

Lunch: Skipped the Nicoise Salad, went with canned tuna in water over a bed of lettuce with   green beans and red wine vinaigrette mixed with a little mustard.  Iced Tea

PM Snack: 12 Raw almonds. Water

Dinner: Herb roasted chicken breast (no skin)  with a drizzle of olive oil.   Spinach salad with cucumbers, sliced tomatoes and 1 tablespoons olive oil  red wine vinegar.   Iced Tea.

Fiesta Frittata Recipe

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

12 sliced green onions

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

3 tablespoon chopped jalapeno

2 small diced plum tomatoes

2 tablespoons fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried

4 eggs

4 egg whites

Salt 7 pepper to taste

1/4 cup sharp or extra sharp grated Cheddar Cheese

 

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil in 10 inch cast iron skillet, add onions, red bell pepper and jalapeno. Saute over medium heat for 3 minutes or until tender. Whisk eggs, egg whites and salt & pepper then pour into skillet and cook over medium heat until just about set (3-5 minutes).  Sprinkle cheese evenly on top transfer skillet to oven and bake 5 minutes.  Cut into triangular wedges.  Level One serve with 1/2 cup blueberries. Level Two can have 1 cup berries and buttered whole wheat toast.

 

 Quiet Sunday!  I got in about 2 hours of exercise between cutting down boxes for recycling and over all cleaning of the house.  The rest of the nigh will be spent relaxing!

 

 I hope your day went well and you accomplished all you set out to this past weekend. Sit back and relax - another work week ahead!!  Thanksgiving Holiday right around the corner .....(a day or two off to look forward to!!)

 

The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed.

DAy 291 ~ 11/6/10

Today was supposed to go like this:  Drop hubby at airport, go to Trader Joe's then to Amish Market, Walgreen's, mother in laws and then home to CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN....BE PRODUCTIVE!!

 

The day went like this: Dropped hubby at airport, missed turn to get back on turnpike, drove by a murder scene in Newark (okay - guessing it was a murder as there was about 20 police cars and half a street cut off by yellow crime scene tape)...thinking I had better turn around and find my way back to get on turnpike (since I was alone in my car - did I mention at about 5:30am) - then got to Trader Joe's and found they do not open until 9 am (it was 7 am when I did the drive by) - so off to Amish Market to only find that in the winter months they open at 9 am (again - drove by at about 7:15 am).  Headed toward Walgreens to pick up hubbys prescriptions and THANKFULLY they are open 24 hours (REALLY - the doors were open, I can't tell you how many times I have gone to the store and they say they are open and they are not - I was shocked)  Walked around in Walgreens for about 20 minutes picking up extra stuff I did not need . Still too early to pop by mother in laws so then I headed home.  About 45 minutes in the house and back on the road again - made it to my mother in laws then through Trader Joe's and the Amish Market getting home at 12:30pm .....................I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOO TIRED AND I REALLY GOT NOTHING DONE!!!!!

 

Breakfast: Magnificent Seven 4: Citrus Classic.  (DID NOT HAVE - but recipe below)

Breakfast/AM Snack: 1 Chcolate Milkshake at the Amish Market (NOT ON DIET)

 

Lunch:  Greek Salad green olives, cucumber and crumbled non fat feta cheese on lettuce with garlic lemon red wine vinaigrette.  Water

 

 PM Snack: 1 cup plain yogurt sweetened with 1/2 teaspoon honey, SPRINKLE OF CINNAMON

Dinner: Pan seared Tuna Steak, steamed broccoli .   Mixed green salad with chopped veggies (sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions) 1-2 tablespoons olive oil based vinaigrette.   Iced Tea

 

I did not have the outlined Breakfast - I had a Chcolate Milkshake instead (yes for breakfast at about 11:30 am)

 

Classic Citrus Recipe

Butter

1 grapefruit or orange

1 to 2 slices whole wheat toast

  

For Level One - Use only 1 slice of whole wheat toast, instead of butter use 1 teaspoon natural peanut or almond butter.

  

For Level Two - grapefruit gets a little raw sugar or a drizzle of honey or maple syrup and a heap of blueberries

I laid down for about 2 hours this afternoon and I still have a LONG NIGHT ahead of me cleaning. 

 

ENJOY a RESTFUL, RELAXING evening!!!

 

 You are ALWAYS Greater than your difficulties.

Day 290 ~ 11/5/10

Because my mind is in a million places normally - I really did it last night.  Remember me telling you I was going to meet a few old so-workers at the pizza place?  Well, I got there for 6:00pm and I am the first one there.  So I wait a few minutes and go to hostess area and see if someone made a reservation for 8-10 people (or if they are already seated) ...no reservation and the place is jumping.  So I give my name and am given a buzzer for when table is ready.  I wait about 15-20 minutes more and thinking it's awfully weird that (1) I am the first one there (2) there was no reservation (3) no one else has shown up....I call hubby to check my emails.....Dinner is on the 11th, NOT the 4th.....I get take-out and come home - hubby had a good time making fun of me on this one (believe me not the first time I have done this)....I ended up having grilled chicken breast in a large mixed salad......

 

 

Breakfast: Magnificent Seven 2: Plain yogurt (I did not have the berries) with 1 teaspoon honey and sprinkle of cinnamon.    Tea with 1 teaspoon honey

 

AM Snack: Whole apple, Water

Lunch: Canned Tuna with teaspoon mustard, red onion and tomatoes on mixed greens.  Water

PM Snack: 12 Raw almonds. Water

Dinner: Broiled Tilapia w/ lemon and spices, roasted sweet potato..  Mixed green salad with chopped veggies (spinach, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, radish, broccoli florets) 1-2 tablespoons olive oil based vinaigrette.   Iced Tea.

I did  get my butt on the treadclimber (25 minutes) and I re-discovered a product.  Years ago (many, many years ago) I used Noxema.  Mostly used in the summer when I got my first annual sunburn of the summer season, I used Noxema to cool down the heat of the burn.  Most recently I went to a tricky tray (I'll explain further down, just in case you do not know what this is) and it was in the "welcome bag".....ANYWHOOOOO...I put the little jar in my shower and this morning after I worked out and was waiting for the conditioner in my hair to do it's thing I spoted the little blue jar - I took about a good tablespoon of the cool white creamy stuff and massaged it into my face and neck and WOW!!!!!  The Eucalyptus  oil scented Noxema WOKE ME UP and honestly my skin seems so smooth after using it!!  This is a new additon to my morning WAKE UP ROUTINE!! When you aren't having coffee (or my morning latte) you take what oyu can get to get moving!!

A Tricky Tray is a fundraiser done by churches, schools and organizations.  They take donations from local restaurants, theaters then add gift cards or food to baskets.  Then turn around and charge a fee to people who want to "bid" on baskets....basically you pay about $10-$25+ to get in and it gets you one sheet of numbered tickets.  You take these tickets (and buy more ~ many more depending on how good the baskets are) and put the tickets in little containers next to something you are interested in winning. Some offer food or snacks, mostly you hook up with a group of friends and share a table.  You Chit Chat most the night and as tickets are drawn you check yours out to see if you won. It is a lot of fun (extra bonus if you win).  Tricky Trays used to be called Chinese Auctions (no idea why) - in recent years they changed name to be PC....Most of these Tricky Trays occur between February and May then again end of August through mid November...if you are interested in seeing if any in your area you can go to:

www.trickytray.com

I hope your Friday at work moved quickly and you are ready for enjoying the weekend!!!!

The essentials to happiness in this life are Something to do, Something to love, and Something to hope for.

Day 289 ~ 11/4/10

 

 

It's a dreary rainy Thursday....it was dark and cold this morning here in NJ.  I did not exercise -just not in the mood....I did wear my workout clothes to bed but when I woke up this morning and heard the rain I just wanted to climb back into bed and sleep a few more hours.  Unfortunately if I want to have a roof over my head I have to work to pay the bills....(like most of America)

 

Breakfast: Magnificent Seven 6: Oatmeal with brown sugar on top.   Water, coffee  with a splash of milk

 

AM Snack: 1/2 cup pistachios

Lunch:Turkey club salad with Boars Head low sodium turkey and chopped tomatoes on spinach with oil/vinegar.  Water

PM Snack: Roasted Red pepper Hummus and raw veggies. Water

Dinner: Flank steak .  Mixed green salad with tomatoes, cucumbers,feta cheese) 1-2 tablespoons olive oil based vinaigrette.   Water.

Dinner out tonight...I checked out menu before I left house tonight - so I knew ahead of time what I was going to order.  I know there will be temptations - but I am going with the steak in mind and I am going to be good!! I switched out tomorrows dinner with tonights (as we are meeting at a pizza, burger joint - there was no fish, other than fried on the menu).  Looking forward to catching up with my old coworkers! 

Short update tonight (not sure what time I am getting in tonight)....have a GREAT night and enjoy your Friday !!!  Talk to you then!

The only goal you can't accomplish is the one that you don't go after!

 

 

Day 288 ~ 11/3/10

Sometimes you see -or- read something that sums up your day (or your week) if you are bummed or down about something and you need a little mantra to keep going....THIS IS IT.....I saw this and had to post (copy & paste) it here:

 

 

Breakfast: Magnificent Seven 5: Kacy's Westside Egg White Omelet (without mushrooms and Parsley sprig for garnish).   Water, coffee with a splash of milk

AM Snack: 1/2 cup plain yogurt sweetened with 1/2 teaspoon of honey and sprinkle cinnamon

Lunch: Goat Cheese, walnuts and a small sliced tomato with  mixed green salad with red wine and thyme vinaigrette. Water

PM Snack: 2 celery sticks stuffed with natural peanut butter or cottage cheese.  Black Tea

Dinner: Shrimp with Wine and Fresh Rosemary, broccoli or cauliflower roasted with garlic. Mixed green salad with chopped veggies (green & red peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions) 1-2 tablespoons olive oil based vinaigrette.   Water

Lacy's Westside Egg White Omelet

1 cup baby spinach

1/2 small diced onion

1/2 cup sliced small baby mushrooms

2 tablespoons light olive oil

6 egg white

1/4 cup milk

salt & pepper

nonstick cooking spray

Parsley Sprig for garnish

  

Saute' veggies together in non stick pan with the olive oil until desired tenderness, remove as much moisture from spinach and set aside veggies.  IN a small bowl, whisk the egg whites, milk, salt & pepper. Spray the pan, preheat is over medium heat then add egg white mixture. Stir and reduce heat to medium low. Let egg mixture cook unitl firm (Cooking the eggs as low temperature will ensure soft fluffy eggs).

Remove from heat and top with sauteed veggies. Fold omelet in half , slide onto a plate and garnish with Parsley sprig.

 

Another good day - not too full.  A little indigestion though.  Eating a little more raw spinach than usual (not sure if that is what is causing it though).  Got another solid 20-25 minutes in this morning on the treadclimber!!  Wearing those workout clothes to bed makes it so much easier for me in the morning!!

 

I hope your week is going well so far -- Just keep adding one little positive to your day and you have made your day better - - inturn making YOU feel better!!

 

Have a TERRIFIC night!!

 

Day 287 ~ 11/2/10

Diet is going well.  Not many surprises, a little more cooking than last week. 

 

A lot going on this week.  Thursday I have a dinner date with former co-workers from my last company I worked (they filed bankruptcy - I'd still be there if that didn't happen).  It's great to get together to bitch about lack of job opportunites, catch up, laugh and gossip about those we have seen or heard about since the last time we got together.

 

Hubby is going away this weekend - YIPPEE FOR ME!!  - I love hubby - but you are so going to understand why I need the break - - I can actually catch up on what hasn't gotten done around the house while he is gone - isn't that always the way - you get SOOOOOOOO  Much more done when you have the  house to your self!

 

The final "thing that has to get done" - I have a wedding next week I need an outfit for.  It's either going to be found in my closet (highly doubt it) at the store (might have some luck) or a combo of both (most likely scenario)

 

Breakfast: Magnificent Seven 7: Beauty in a Blender, Level One, Water. (I used 1/2 banana and sprinkle of cinnamon)

 

AM Snack: 1 Sliced tomato and 1/2 cup cottage cheese

Lunch: Canned tuna (in water) and mixed lettuce salad with dill and white wine vinaigrette. Water - flat or sparkling

PM Snack: 12 Raw almonds. Green tea

Dinner: Baked Chicken breast with assorted fresh herbs and lemon. Mixed green salad with chopped veggies (green & red peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions) 1-2 tablespoons olive oil based vinaigrette.   Water.

Beauty on a Blender (Level One)

 

1/2 cup milk (skim okay)

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1/2 cup frozen strawberries

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1 teaspoon honey

4 ice cubes

 

Blend until smooth and perfectly chilled.

 

 No exercise today.....I should say so far - I am sure once I start trying on clothes (taking off & on) I will end up sweating a good 2,000+ calories off!!

 

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT!!!!

 

It's what you do, not when you do it, that counts.

Day 286 ~ 11/1/10

I started hearing about the possibility of my own High School Reunion getting together last month.  Nothing came of it.  The person who was putting it together had put feelers out and a tentative date earlier this year- but never followed through....in a further follow-up by me (after I got emails asking if I knew anything more - I am not even on the committee) My Class Reunion was rescheduled to sometime next year.

I am on the fence about even going.  First off - I couldn't wait to get the hell out of High School. I was working  a full time job while in my senior year with no immediate plans to go to college.  I was friendly with several classmates but everyone was going their own way.  Now thinking back - if I had wanted to see these people wouldn't I have seen them sometime over the last 15-20+ years instead of my High School Reunion and why am I going to bust my butt to drop massive amounts of weight to look good for one night to a bunch of people I haven't kept up with? 

You know why.  It's vanity.  When you don't see people you haven't seen for ages - you want to look good.  Hell you want to look better than them.  It's not like going on vacation and you don't know anybody - so who cares what you look like - you are never going to see these people again.  With a High School Reunion, there is a chance you ARE going to see these people again.  You reconnect and all of a sudden you are older and alot of your experiences are the same, you remember the good times you had long ago and maybe want to recapture them again.

Here's to a week of recapturing my youth (more like dropping weight to fit into the girdle that will get me into the dress that I will not be able to breath in for 5-6 hours....just to look good) ....

Breakfast: Magnificent Seven 1: Green Eggs and Ham

AM Snack: 1 - 2 slices Boars Head low-sodium turkey

Lunch: Grilled Chicken, arugula and sesame seed salad with Dijon mustard vinaigrette. Water, flat or sparkling

PM Snack: 8-10 walnuts, 1/2 apple. Tea - green, black or white

Dinner: Pan Seared Sea Scallops with Balsamic Reduction, Steamed broccoli florets. Mixed green salad with chopped veggies (green & red peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions) 1-2 tablespoons olive oil based vinaigrette.   Water - flat or sparkling; decaffeinated coffee or tea

I did not have organic turkey, asparagus or blueberries/strawberries.  The local Stop and Shop (small one by my house)  does not have organic lunch meats...asparagus not really in season and I hate berries.....

Two recipes for today....were very easy and turned out very good!!

 

Green Eggs & Ham

 

1-2 cups fresh spinach

2 eggs

1 or 2 tablespoons virgin olive oil

Coarse salt , black pepper

Canadian bacon (1-2 pieces - if you are on Level Two)

 

Rinse spinach and cook with the remaining water on the leaves over a high heat in a skillet until spinach wilts - remove to a bowl.  Whisk eggs with a tablespoon water.  Heat olive oil in skillet add eggs and stir with fork until partially cooked, add spinach, salt, pepper and cook until desired doneness. 

 

Cook Canadian Bacon in separate skillet until done (also on Level Two you can have 1 slice whole wheat toast with butter) - serve with eggs.

 

Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Balsamic Reduction

 

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

4 sea scallops (2-3 ounces each)

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 cup mixed greens

 

In a small saucepan over low heat, heat balsamic vinegar until it reaches a syrupy consistency. Keep it warm.

 

Season Scallops with salt & pepper. Heat olive oil in small saute' pan, add scallops.  Cook them over moderately high heat until each side is seared and caramelized, about 1-3 minutes (or until cooked through).

 

Cover a large plate with mixed greens and arrange scallops on top. Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar.

 

The day went well - especially considering not as much veggies as the last week and my cold is GONE!!!!!  I wore my work out clothes to bed last night and was able to get in a solid 20 minutes on treadclimber this morning!!

I hope your Monday was FANTASTIC!!

Hang in there. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.