The Revolving Diet

Day 132 ~ Summary of Hot Latin Diet

Overall I liked the Hot Latin Diet.  I lost 2.2 pounds for the week and for the most part the week went well.

Being the diet relied heavily on the recipes that were included in the book - there was more preparation time required.  If you are single and have the extra time then this may be okay for you.  If you are married, with children to worry about this may not be okay fo you. I do not think children would like some of the ingredients (to spicy) - hubby might be okay with them.  It does have alot of preparation.  DIet is geared toward woman - but hubby liked the food I prepared although he did not lose any weight this week (only ate the dinners).

Having fresh ingredients was key to majority of the food needed.  I personally do not keep avocados, garbanzo beans, jalapeno peppers or cilantro on hand.  Changing what I purchased last week was minor - finding the time to prepare was the issue.  I took shortcuts with the Spicy Frittata by making it on the stove and throwing the same ingredients into the pan.  Also by having it several times during the week made things a little easier.  I had to cut down some of the recommended chili as it was too spicy for me.  Since you are making everything pretty much from scratch to eat it as fresh as possible, I was able to make adjustments in the spiciness and or the quantity.  Recipes for the most part were for 4 servings - I cut it down to 2 servings and hubby ate what I had for dinner (not so much for lunches)  or breakfast.

The recipes were easy to follow.  Some items I had trouble finding in my local grocery store and ended up not using the recipes (those items being tomatillos, chayote - which is Mexican squash, Mexican Oregano, turbinado sugar and huitlacoche - which is corn truffles).

Would I do this diet again?  50/50.  I liked the food, I did not care for the diet relying heavily on it's own recipes.  I did lose weight , I was not hungry at all, I did not have any mid-afternoon sugar crashes and for a diet that is half the battle.

****CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE GOING ON OR TRYING ANY DIET***

Day 131 ~ 5/30/10

Getting closer to 20 pounds down (I still need to get under the 22 I was a little before going on vacation - but I am getting there!!!)

 

What a glorious day today was - HOT, HOT , HOT!!!!  I tried two more recipes and GUESS WHAT...I could have HUMMUS (after all the hummus I had last week & finding out that I liked it, there was a recipe for it....made it today & it was yummy!!!!

 

Breakfast: Ejotes con Huevo (String Beans with Egg) - Had leftover green beans so I had this again

Snack: 1/2 cup Spiced Up Hummus, 1 cup baby carrots

Lunch:  6 oz tuna fish with lettuce & tomatoes

EXTRA SNACK:  Major breakdown ....wanted choclate - went with two handfuls (not small either) of plain M & M's (why not stop there????)  and a cup of Trader Joes Kettle Korn Popcorn (this stuff is good & addictive)

Snack: 1 orange, 1/4 cup Spiced up Hummus & 1/2 cup baby carrots

Dinner: Pan Seared Red Snapper with Grapefruit Avocado Salsa, side salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, olive oil, salt & pepper.

My MAJOR BREAKDOWN....I went to Trader Joes with my Dad and he had never had the Kettle Korn so I picked up a bag & in telling him how good it was I opend bag and took a handful...which led to a few more......then got back to his house & he offered me M & M's - so I took a hand full and they were so good I took another...then I had to leave to make sure I didn't have any more (sorry Dad - at least you had a picnic to go to so I don't feel like I rushed out of the house) 

 

 

Pan Seared Red Snapper with Grapefruit Avocado Salsa - Dinner

1 large grapefruit, sectioned & diced

1/2 small red onion, diced

1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded & chopped

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 lemon juices

2 - 6 oz red snapper fillets

salt & pepper

1/2 teaspoon canola oil

1 avocado, peeled, seeded cut into 1/4 dice

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

 

Toss grapefruit, onion and jalapeno with olive oil & lemon juice. Refrigerate.

 

Season fillets with salt & pepper. Using non stick pan brush with canola oil, set on medium-high heat. Place fillets skin side down, cook until skin is crispy (3-4 minutes), flip and cook un til fish flakes (1-2 minutes).

 

Take salsa mixture out of refrigerator & add avocado & cilantro - toss all together - add salt & pepper to taste. Put about 1/2 salsa mixture on plate & place a red snapper fillet on top.  Serves 2.

 

Spiced up Hummus - Snack

14 oz can Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas) drained

1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup tahini paste

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup scallion (white & green parts) sliced thin

salt & pepper to taste

 

Combined beans, garlic, lemon juice, tahini paste & spices into a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add water & oil process until smooth.  Fold in scallions, season with salt & pepper.

Refrigerate in airtight container at least an hour before serving. Will last up to 5 days in refrigerator. 

 

I hope you had more restraint (if you are dieting) than I had today.....back on the horse right!!!

 

Enjoy your night!! 

 

Tomorrow is Memorial Day (Don't forget to Thank a Veteran & Say a small prayer for those that lost their loves serving our country)

Day 130 ~ 5/29/10

Down .6 !!    Getting back into the groove.....Being Saturday I had a little time to make (2) new recipes and I have included below.  I made adjustments for (2) servings vs the 4 servings as listed in the recipe from book.

Breakfast: Ejotes con Huevo (String Beans with Egg)

Snack: 1 Cup Watermelon

Lunch:  4 oz grilled chicken breast over a bed of romaine lettuce w/ tomatoes, crushed garlic, avocado, garbanzo beans olive oil salt, pepper

Snack: 1 cup Cantaloupe

Dinner: Coriander Crusted Chicken with Mustard Greens

The Recipes:

 

Ejotes con Huevo (Fresh String Beans with Egg) - Breakfast

 

This recipe uses the Pico De Gall (recipe on Day 126) and String Beans. 

 

2 Eggs

1/2 pound string beans, trimmed cut into 1 inch pieces

1  tablespoons vegetable oil

 

I a large pot of boiling water, blanch the beans until slightly tender but crunchy (about 2 minutes)

Drain well.

 

In large skillet, heat the oil over high heat until hot and bubbling, add 1/2 cup of the Pico De Gallo and saute until all liquid is nearly evaporated (about 2 minutes). Add string beans and cook tossing fast until beans start to soften (1-1/2 - 2 minutes).

 

Beat Egg, add to the bean mixture and cook.  Serves 2

 

 

Coriander Crusted Chicken Breast & Mustard Greens - Dinner

 

Sea Salt and pepper

2 Chicken breast halves

2 Tablespoons Coriander Seeds, ground

Sunflower or canola oil to coast pan

 

Chicken

Sprinkle salt & pepper on each chicken breast (both sides). Spread Coriander on plate in thin layer, evenly coat breast halves (both sides. Heat a saute pan over moderately high heat., add oil and heat until hot but not smoking.  Add the chicken and sear for about 4 minutes each side.  Lower heat and continue cooking until nicely brown on outside and no longer pink in middle (about 20 minutes)

 

Greens

1 bunch of mustard greens (or spinach)

(I could not find Mustard Greens)

Spinach - remove stems, cut leaves in half

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 garlic clove

1/4 cup water

salt to taste

 

If you use Mustard greens you have to blanch them for 2 minutes in boiling water, then place immediately in an ice bath.

For Spinach - heat a medium saute pan, add oil and heat until hot but not smoking.  Add garlic and stir, add half spinach and toss with tongs to coat with oil - add remaining greens as greens wilt - add water and salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally until greens are tender and most liquid is gone (approx 5 minutes) Taste & season as you like). Serves 2.

Enjoy your BBQing and catching up with friends and family but also......Remember the Reason for Memorial Day!!!

 

Day 129 ~ 5/28/10

Gained .2 pounds today.  Thought it would be MUCH, MUCH, MORE!!!

 

Confirmation dinner last night at Longhorns Steak House...I had pulled up their menu at work and figured out what I was going to have...the Sierra Chicken.  It sounded good and I thought it would be within the Hot Latin Diet guidelines (basically grilled chicken with a salsa topping).....Unfortuntely, my sister set up a menu with the manager and there were 6-7 selections for dinner....Pork Chops, Steaks, Salmon and Fried Shrimp (not the regular menu).

 

I HATE Salmon....I wanted to stick with the fish ...so I went with the fried shrimp...I do not suggest you ever get this.  It was overly salty and dried out.  The reason I thought I would of gained much more is due to the fact that there was so much salt added to everything that I felt overly bloated before we left the restaurant. Hubby got the pork chops - he said it was also extremely salty.

 

But .02 is not bad considering I was thinking I would be up about 2-3 pounds.

 

Todays Meals & another Recipe.....

 

 

Breakfast:  Spicy Fritatta, Tomato Salad, 1 slice whole grain bread

Snack: 1 Cup Fruit De Arbol (last one - had to finish it)

Lunch:  4 oz chicken breast, salad on side - 1/2 cup tomatoes, spinach, a couple slices cucumber, 1/4 wedge avocado with olive oil, lime juice salt & pepper

Snack: Medium Orange, 1/4 cup pepita seeds

Dinner:  4 oz (oven baked)Tilapia, 3oz shrimp with  salad of 1/2 cup tomatoes, spinach, a couple slices cucumber, 1/4 wedge avocado with olive oil, lime juice salt & pepper

I will not be using the follwing recipe as on of my meals - I have a thing about eating raw fish....but it is my understanding that this is very good.

 

 

Ceviche - Lunch

• 1 pound rock  shrimp, peeled and deveined, cut into ¼ diced
• ¾ pound sea scallops
• 3/4 cup lime juice
• 1 cup lemon juice
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1 jalapeno chiles roasted, seeds removed, minced
• 1 large tomato, roasted, peeled, seeded & chopped
• ½ cup red onion chopped
• Small bunch fresh cilantro finely chopped
• Sugar to taste
• 1/2 avocado, peeled and seed removed, quartered for garnish

Combined the three juices and marinate overnight. Taste for sweetness, add sugar if needed.

Add jalapeno, tomato, onion and garnish with avocado before serving.

Recipe calls for all juices to be freshly squeezed and tomatoes & chiles to be roasted.  You can roast either on a BBQ grill or in a pan on your stove.

 

 

 What ever you do this weekend - make sure to take a few moments to say a prayer and give thanks for the military personnel that have lost their lives fighting for our country.

Day 128 ~ 5/27/10

 

Crouching Fat Girl, Hidden Mouse….

Today was almost normal – went to work – went out to car at lunch to listen to my newest audio book** (I only do this if story is at a critical point)

It was another HOT one today, sitting in the car I decided to open my car door to let air in while I listened and for whatever reason as I opened door I looked between the door and door jam and sitting there was a little brown & white mouse.  Just hanging…like “Hi there, got any cheese”…didn’t move just stared.  I jumped out at my car as if I was just sprayed with pepper spray.  I crouched down and looked back in where the mouse was sitting and he was gone.  I contemplated my next move and came up with using a bottle of water and squirting it in the door jam – thinking I could drown him out of the car. WHY....I thought that 16 ounces of Poland Spring water was going to do this, I do not know.  I waited a few minutes and he (of course it’s not a girl mouse, girls don’t scare other girls) did not reappear.  I got back in car and left door open just in case he needed a way out.  I turned off audio book and grabbed my purse when I turned around guess who was back….YEP!!! The damn mouse – sitting in the same spot not even wet (actually not really sure if he was wet or not because at this time I just shut door and jumped out of car again).

I have been sitting at my desk wondering if he is planning a sneak attack on my way home.  Is he going to pop out and just casually walk across my feet while I am driving?

Will he feel the need to just be sitting in my passenger seat waiting for me (I did crack the windows just in case) but hoping he isn’t waiting for me.  My worst fear – will he

bring friends – like my 11 year old Jeep needs a mouse circus occupying it.  I am lucky I can get the car started in the morning without some crazy mice chewing the wires.

 Because you know that’s what they do, POOP & CHEW things…..

I did call hubby (once he finished laughing) and he will look into once I get home (as long as my new friend does not pop out while I am driving I will make it home)…..

OH…to top it all off – I am standing in front of my office and there are glass doors and I am standing sideways.  I casually ask hubby (while on phone with him) why he didn’t mention the fact that the pants I have on today look as if I am wearing an adult diaper….

 

 

 

his comment (which I had to give him KUDOs for) was “you told me never to tell you about anything you are wearing to work right before you leave for work”….TOTALLY TRUE.  In the past he has made a comment and I had to go back and change and resulting in me being late for work (and I blame him ~ BITCH HIM OUT ~ the entire time while I am going through closet looking for something else to wear) ...he was right, I was wrong.

 The diaper pants going to goodwill after I wash them.  I DO NOT need anything to accentuate things I DO NOT want accentuated.

 

Enough of that....Todays Menu:

 

Breakfast:Spicy Fritatta, Tomato Salad, 1 slice whole grain bread

Snack:1 Cup Fruit De Arbol

Lunch:6 oz can tuna(in water) mixed with lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon dijon mustard, salad on side - 1/4 avocado, 1/4 cup tomatoes, spinach with olive oil, lime juice salt & pepper

Snack:1 Cup Fruit De Arbol

Dinner:Longhorn Steak House.....My nieces Confirmation Dinner (she picked the place), not sure what I am having...but I will update tomorrow morning.

Since it's going to be a late night with the Confirmation and dinner with the family... this is a quick update....

Hope your NIGHT is wonderful.....and your plans for the upcoming long weekend are coming together....

** Audio Book - by Karin Slaughter - Triptych...awesome!!  I have listened to several of her books (excellent if you are in the car alot) and all so far are really engrossing....

 

Day 127 ~ 5/26/10

Happy HUMP Day !!!  Down a pound this morning (making up for yesterdays non-loss).

It's going to be a HOT ONE in New Jersey today - from friends I heard it's supposed to be hotter than Florida today (go figure).  For us on the plump side we get to look forward to sweat under the boobs (admit it, it's true) and sweat in places that just make the day more uncomfortable (thank goodness for powder!!)  I have to put a plug in for my favorite powder.  Whether wearing shoes with no socks or keeping the nether regions dry - I use this powder. At a craft show several years ago, this company had a booth and I bought several items.  (Not your usual craft show - mostly modern crafts & jewlery). They sell mostly soaps, lotions and powders - I liked the powder the most as it is talc free (plus the scent is WONDERFUL).....Belly Dancer.

I wanted to pop in the link here and I tried what I thought was the link (prettybaby.com) and HELLO....a bunch of nude woman came up....NOT THE LINK....use www.prettybabysoap.com. 

Onto today's Meals:

Breakfast: Spicy Fritatta with the tomato salad (Same as yesterday - but no bread, wasn't hungry for it)

Snack: 1 apple, 3 oz turkey breast

Lunch: Approx 4-5 oz Roasted chicken breast over a bed of spinach w/ tomatoes, olive oil salt, pepper

Snack: 1 cup of Fruit with chili de Arbol (less the pineapple & honeydew - not a big fan)

Dinner: Sauteed 6 oz. Red Snapper with lemon juice & olive oil - topped with Pico De Gallo.  Salad of spinach, avocado, tomatoes, a little red onion and drizzle of olive oil, salt & pepper.

Recipes from book:

Cucumber Raita with Coconut - Snack

 

1-1/2 cups plain low fat yogurt

2 ounces light coconut milk

cayenne or chili pepper, to taste

1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped

3 cucumbers, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/4 inch cubes

 

2 tablespoons shredded coconut (sweetened or regular)

 

Mix all (except shredded coconut) in bowl, cover and refrigerate at least an hour before serving.

Sprinkle shredded coconut on before serving.  (Serves 8)

 

Fruit with Chile de Arbol and Lime Juice - Snack

 

2 cups watermelon, cut into 1 inch cubes & seeded

2 cups pineapple, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 cup cantaloupe, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 cups honeydew, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 limes, cut into wedges

2 tablespoons Chile de arbol powder

salt to taste

 

Combine all fruit in bowl, squeeze lime juice over fruit.  Sprinkle with Chile powder and a little salt. Serve immediately.  (Serves 4)

 

I wrote the weather report (above) before the day begun....IT WAS HOT!!!!  93 degrees!!! Diet wise it was a good day!  I wasn't hungry enough to eat the bread at breakfast...the Fruit w/ Chili was a bit odd...I have a few more servings of it (didn't add the lime, Chili or salt to entire amount - I portioned out into single servings, I will season as I go.

 

I hope you kept cool and have a FANTASTIC DAY!!  I leave you with this....

 

 

 

 

Day 126 ~ 5/25/10

Another day of recipes....I spent more time going through book last night (looking for shortcuts) and there aren't many.  The book gives you the guideline for Track One - then (7) recipes.  After this moves into outline of Stage Two with another (18) recipes.  I am going to include recipes as the week goes on....

Todays Meals:

Breakfast: Spicy Fritatta with the tomato salad, 1 slice whole grain toast

Snack: 3 oz canned tuna (in water), string bean salad (mixed w/lemon juice, olive oil salt & pepper)

Lunch: 5 oz. sauteed garlic chicken breast over a bed of salad greens with tomatoes, cucumber, a little red onion. 1 sugar free cup jello.

Snack: I Apple, 1/4 cup pepita (pumpkin) seeds

Dinner: Broiled 6 oz. Tilapia with lime juice & olive oil - topped with Pico De Gallo.  Salad of spinach, avocado, tomatoes, a little red onion and drizzle of olive oil, salt & pepper.

Recipes:

Pico De Gallo

2 to 4 fresh chiles, jalapeno or serrano peppers  (tops removed but not seeded)

1 garlic clove

4 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped

6-8 scallions

1/4 cilantro(finely chopped)

1 teaspoon Mexican oregano

Juice of 1 lime salt to taste

 

Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix (adding peppers slowly as to your taste)

 

Pico De Gallo is used for a lot of meals as a topper to chicken and fish or in a salad.

 

Toasted Garbanzo Beans - Snack

One 15.5 ounce can garbanzo beans (chickpeas)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (or to taste)

1/2 teaspoon chili powder (or to taste)

1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt (or to taste)

1 lime wedge

 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees, drain garbanzo beans, blot dry with paper towel. In bowl, toss beans with olive oil and a 1/4 of each - cumin, chili powder and salt. Spread on baking sheet and bake for about 35 minutes until toasted and crunchy.  During cooking use spatula to move beans around so they don't burn on one side.  Once done, cool about 5 minutes then transfer to a stoneware type dish and sprinkle the remaining spices and a squeeze of the lime and serve.  Can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

 

Going to try making the garbanzo beans recipe later tonight for a snack tomorrow....I feel good, been sleeping okay (if not for my pyscho cat that wakes me every 20 minutes from 2:30am through  6:00am when I get up) I've been peeing like there is no tomorrow!! 

 

Only day two and I am tired of cooking!!  It's not that the cooking is awful - it's just not things I normally eat (alot of spices). The food is good - although I have to keep the jalapeno, habaneros and any other hot peppers to a minimum or I will be paying for it (first in my chest - then the other end).

 

 

If you are dieting on your own - I hope all is going well!  If it isn't going as good as you want it to be - - - DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED!!! - - - it's hard to diet on your own (Not all of us are rich celebrities with personal trainers & cooks) - keep in mind most of us did not gain the weight overnight & it will take just as long to lose it, as it was to gain it....SMALL STEPS TO THE PRIZE PEOPLE!!!

 

JUST KEEP MOTIVATED - If you cheated, SO WHAT!!?!!  Get right back on track, faltering and not recovering is where you lose ground and possibly give up.  Look at me - I went on vacation, gained just about 7 pounds and I could of said SCREW IT and kept gaining, but I got back on track and you can too!!!

 

YOU ARE YOUR BEST CHEERLEADER!!!! 

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL NIGHT!!!

Day 125 ~ 5/24/10

This diet is going to be rough.  I have gone back and forth through book and it seems to revolve around recipes that are in the book - a little deviation - but not much.

Todays Menus:

Breakfast:Spicy Fritatta, Tomato Salad, 1 slice whole grain bread

Snack: 1/4 cup pepita seeds (unsalted)

Lunch:6 oz can tuna(in water) mixed with lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon dijon mustard, salad on side - 1/4 avocado, 1/4 cup tomatoes, spinach with olive oil, lime juice salt & pepper

Snack: 3 oz chicken breast, 1/4 cup brown rice

Dinner:6 oz BBQ shrimp w/olive oil & lime juice, grilled veggies (zucchini, onions) w/Pico de Gallo

Spicy Fritatta w/ Tomato salad Recipe

1 Large Egg

1 Egg White

1/4 teaspoon parsley

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/4 cup spanish onion (finely chopped)

1/4 cup spinach, sliced thin

1/8 teaspoon finely chopped jalapeno (recipe said habanero or Scotch Bonnet pepper  store did not have)

Mix all together and saute in pan. Then finely chop 1/4 cup tomatoes, 1/2 tablespoon red onion, 1 tablespoon cilantro and add juice of 1/4 lime - mix all together - once frittata is done top with tomato salad. Original recipe calls for enough of above ingredients for a service for 4 - then fritatta is to be cooked in oven - I broke down for a serving for one & made it more like an omelet (just needed to be quick in morning)

I will put the Pico de Gallo recipe up tomorrow as I made enough for two days and will be having it again tomorrow.

Alot of prep - I have to get up earlier tomorrow so I have not rush through preparing and eating....the book does say to be prepared!  I was not.

Have a great night - - hopefully tomorrow will be more organized....I have the ingredients, just need the time!