Wednesday, December 30, 2009

A little more info






I wanted to clarify my eating plan which starts in chapter 3. This is where the book lays out the 3 phases and gives directions on how to raise your metabolism. I will be following the "Higher Protein" plan using the guidelines in chapters 5 & 7. I will also be taking supplements, including: a complete biomultiple, calcium, and omega-3. Extra nutritional support is vital especially within the first 2 phases of the cycle in order to get adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, in this day and age it is difficult to get all the nutrients we need, because many modern foods are nutrient deficient, due to soil content, processing, and other factors. Eating whole, organic, nutrient dense foods is a start, but often more is needed in the form of high quality supplements.

(Photos: Fruit shop, bowl of fruit including: peaches, apples, and cactus fruit)

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Recipe for Menu Plan Week 1

Here are the recipes that are not in the book. I am going to make a batch of granola bars and freeze them in individual packages to grab and go.

Baked Oatmeal (from http//:kellythekitchenkop.com)

2-1/2 c. oats 1-3/4 c. buttermilk ½ c.Coconut oil 4 eggs ½ c. sugar, or honey or maple syrup 1 tsp. Baking powder ½ tsp. Salt 2 tsp. Cinnamon 2 tsp. Vanilla 2 c. raisins 2 c. chopped apples or pears Optional: 2 c. nuts, chopped

Soak oats and buttermilk covered on kitchen counter overnight. In the morning, beat oil, sugar, and eggs until glossy. Add baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla; beat. Stir in oats, raisins, and chopped apples (or pears). Pour into 9×13 baking dish and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Creamy Breakfast Oatmeal (Rice cooker) (recipezaar.com)

2/3 c. steel cut oats 1 2/3 c. milk

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

pinch sea salt 2 T. real maple syrup

1/2 c. chopped dates (or substitute raisins or craisins)

Put all ingredients except dates in cooker, stir to combine and sprinkle dates on top. Close cover, set on porridge cycle.

Laura's Easy Pot Roast

1 1/2 to 2lb Grass fed beef roast 1/2 c. chopped scallions Potatoes, organic carrots, celery Herbamare seasoning 1 can Annie's organic Cream of Mushroom soup

Place roast in the center of the crockpot, sprinkle with scallions and seasoning to taste (I usually use 1-3 T. depending on the size of the roast.) Wash and scrape the skins off the carrots and potatoes. Cut into chunks and place around the roast. Cover all with soup. Cook on low for 8 hours or until the meat falls apart. (Or high on 4-5hrs)

Green Curry Chicken (sorry this recipe is a little vague on amounts)

2 c chicken breast, cut in pieces 1 can coconut milk Green curry paste Bamboo shoots or green beans

Cut chicken into small strips, cut beans or shoots into 2 inch strips. Cook desired amount of green curry paste in skillet or wok, stirring for 3 minutes or until you can smell the herbs and spices. Add chicken and beans to the pan and cook, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes or until the chicken is just cooked through. Add coconut milk, stir in and simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes or until the dish slightly thickens. Serve with rice.

Granola Bars (http://www.joyfulabode.com)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Gather your ingredients:

  • 2 cups oats
  • 3/4 cup wheat germ
  • 3/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup peanuts, crushed
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 4 Tbsp butter
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
  • approximately 8 oz. dried fruit

To crush your peanuts, put them in a plastic bag and smash them with a heavy mallet, measuring cup, or sauce pan. Then, mix the peanuts, oats, wheat germ, and sunflower seeds in a baking dish with sides. Toast them in the oven for 10-12 minutes, stirring every few minutes so that they don’t get burned.

Meanwhile, prepare a glass baking dish (about 11 x 13 inches) for your granola by lining it with waxed paper lightly sprayed with a nonstick spray.

Put the brown sugar, honey, butter, vanilla, and salt into a saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly.

By now, your grains and nuts should be toasted, so mix everything together in a large bowl. The grains, the liquid “glue,” and the dried fruit. Oh, and turn off your oven, because you’re finished with it now. Mix everything REALLY WELL because you want to make sure the “glue” gets all over everything. Now, dump your granola mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread out the mixture with a wooden spoon or spatula. Now fold over the sides of the waxed paper or add a sheet on top, and PRESS HARD all over the granola. You want to compact it together so that your bars won’t fall apart when you cut them.

Wait 2-3 hours or until the granola has totally cooled.Then, open the waxed paper … And carefully turn the granola onto a large cutting board, peeling away the rest of the paper. Now, firmly pressing down with a big knife (not sawing), cut your granola into whatever size bars you’d like.

Menu Plan for Week 1 (1200 calories)

Week 1 menus consist of 3 meals a day and 2 snacks. I will be eating very nutrient dense whole foods. I will also try to be cost effective in my meal planning and several meals may be leftovers. Page numbers in the book are included.

Day 1
Breakfast: 1/2 cup of oatmeal and a free range egg cooked in olive oil spray
Snack 1: Celery w/natural peanut butter p.55
Lunch: Open faced tuna & a kiwi p. 62
Snack 2:Carrots & cheese p. 54
Dinner: Small square of lasagna, 1 cup of salad, 1/2 c. fresh pineapple

Day 2
Breakfast: Spinach & swiss omelet p. 52
Snack 1: Southwest salad p. 55
Lunch: Creamy chicken sandwich p. 62
Snack 2: 8 oz. milk
Dinner: Grass fed beef pot roast, 1 cup of potatoes, carrots, and celery mixed.

Day 3
Breakfast: Sunny egg sandwich p. 52
Snack 1: 1/2 oz. cashews
Lunch: California Turkey Sandwich with cheese and 1/2 c. fresh pineapple p. 62
Snack 2: Grapes & cheese
Dinner: Green curry chicken and rice

Day 4
Breakfast: Baked oatmeal
Snack 1: 8 oz. milk
Lunch: Taco salad p.63
Snack 2: Celery with peanut butter p. 55
Dinner: Leftovers (1 starch, 1 fruit, 2 protein)

Day 5
Breakfast: Baked oatmeal
Snack 1: Cucumber rounds with Salmon & cream cheese p. 55
Lunch: Tuna Salad with veggies & parfait p. 63
Snack 2: Grapes & cheese p. 54
Dinner: Simple soup & salad p. 66

Day 6
Breakfast: Yogurt & granola bar
Snack 1: Strawberries, nuts & swiss p. 54
Lunch: Greek salad p. 63
Snack 2: 8 oz. milk
Dinner: Salmon burgers p. 67

Day 7
Breakfast: Egg sandwich p. 52
Snack 1: Grapes & cheese
Lunch: Leftovers (1 fruit, 1 starch, 2 protein)
Snack 2: Celery with peanut butter
Dinner: Swiss chicken with green beans and potatoes p. 64

Taking It Off


Well it's nearly the first of the year and I am planning my strategy on "Taking It Off" using the "Curves Fitness and Weight Management Plan" by Gary Heavin, Nadia Rodman, and Cassie Findley. I will be following this plan for 30 days to jump start losing weight. Along the way I will share menu plans, recipes and other tips. I still struggle with planning and organization so this will be a learning process.



In August of 2008 I weighed over 200 lbs and had no energy. (Photo 8/2008 at Mt. Etna, Sicily)



In July of 2009 I had lost 10 kilos, which translates to about 22 lbs. (Photo 7/2009 near Palermo, Sicily. I am second from the right.)


After starting work at Curves in August of 2009, I began working out 3-4 times per week, while continuing to try to avoid processed foods and eat a Mediterranean style diet. I lost several pounds, over 5 lbs of body fat, and 10.5 inches in just under 4 months. My starting weight now is 192 lbs, and we will see what happens over the next several months.

Monday, December 7, 2009

About Me


Hi,
Welcome to my blog. Thanks for stopping by. I just wanted to give a little bit of background about myself. I have lived in the same area all my life up until August of 2008 when my husband and I moved to the island of Sicily for a year (To read more about that go to http//:terminigoesgreen.blogspot.com)


I have always been interested in health and wellness, although sometimes I have a little bit of trouble with the follow through. My interest became a passion as our diet changed from eating a lot of quick, overly processed foods to eating fresh, whole foods cooked from scratch everyday. We saw many health benefits from eating a Mediterranean diet. We also found that the food tasted much better as well. After losing 10 kilos (about 22 lbs) over the course of the year, we returned to the United States in July of 2009. Shortly after that I was hired as a Circuit trainer for our local Curves. Changing our habits was difficult, but the benefits reaped from a proper diet and exercise were and still are well worth the effort.

My journey began in Italy, but it continues here until I reach my goal weight and can manage my time well enough to feed my family the healthiest food possible on a budget.