An Encouraging Word

Yesterday morning, my husband, Todd read to me a verse from Hebrews. I just HAD to share it.

"Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them."
Hebrews 13:9

Wow.

I Scream for Ice-cream!

I have a confession to make:  I am struggling with the idea of having to go the entire summer without ice-cream!  I have always had a weakness for ice-cream, but with two little kids at home, a summer time trip to the ice-cream shop becomes a treasured event.  I will have to use a lot of self-control, because I can't deny my daughter ice-cream all summer. Yet, I figured out a little way to trick myself into thinking I'm eating ice-cream.  My husband and I love the Ideal Protein's Dark Chocolate Pudding.  If you make it and then stick in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour, it becomes the texture of gelato.  (I should apologize to anyone who has had real gelato in Italy, because there is nothing as good as licking gelato as you stroll through the streets of Florence.) Saddly, my travel agenda this summer does not include a stroll over the Ponte de Vecchio, so I will look forward to my evening snack of frozen dark chocolate pudding.

Delicious Cilantro Sauce

My friend, Stefanie, found this yummy sauce on the blog 4littlemenandgirlytwins .  I had it the other night over a grilled piece of halibut.  I bet it would be tasty on talapia or even chicken too.  My husband and I both have used it as a salad dressing, and the flavor was so refreshing. (Sometimes you just need a way to make lettuce exciting again!)   Take advantage of the abundance of fresh herbs and veggies available this time of year and try the sauce. Enjoy!

{cilantro green sauce}

1 bunch cilantro

1 Anaheim or bell pepper

{depending on how spicy you want it}

1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger

4 garlic cloves

1 lemon juiced

3 Tablespoons olive oil

1-2 teaspoons real salt

Place all ingredients in a food processor {or use an immersion blender} and pulse until mixed and sauce is a smooth consistency.

Sara's Kale chips!!

Hey ladies,

A bunch of you had a chance to try Sara's kale chips the other day, and requested the recipe below. They are MUCH better fresh out of the oven, but still a tasty way to eat some of those veggies the next day. 

Kale Chips

Ingredients:

Kale, Olive Oil Spray, Real Salt to taste, ground Pepper to taste, Dash of Garlic Powder

Directions:
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees, spray baking sheet with non stick spray

Pull Kale leaves from middle stalk, Place on baking sheet
Spray with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

Bake for 5-10 minutes until leaves are crispy. (Just until the tips of the leaves are turning brown)

I also found a few websites with collections of Ideal Protein Recipes, and thought I would pass along those links as well, in case you need ideas!

http://www.livewellus.com/documents/Recipes.pdf

http://idealweightacadiana.com/recipes

http://arvadachiro.com/custom_content/c_78695_ideal_protein_recipes.html

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FEAR OF GETTING FAT AGAIN

At the end of every diet, the path curves back to the trough.
Mason Cooley

I am a saver. You never know when you might need that thing again. It took years of ridicule from my daughter before I removed those large shoulder pads from my jackets and quit wearing my theme sweaters. So last week when I stood in front of approximately 30 pairs of slacks and jeans accumulated over the past decade, I experienced a myriad of emotions. Joy that they were falling off of me. Disappointment that some had only been purchased this winter and I really-really like them. And fear that one day in the future I might once again need them because I had regained all my weight back. And I know I am not the only dieter that wonders that.

Last week, Dr. Zambada spoke about what is necessary to gain one pound in a day:

3500 calories + your BMR.

The B.M.R. or Basal Metabolic Rate is the amount of calories you use at rest. The amount of calories it takes to keep your heart beating, your lungs breathing---basically the amount of energy you would need if you just stayed in bed all day and did nothing more than think. For most of us that is well over 1000 calories. We have to have this much energy intake to stay alive.

To calculate your BMR you can go to one of the following websites.
I checked them all and they vary by only a few calories.

Discovery Health
Internet Fitness
BMR Calculator

So if you want to gain a pound in one day you will need to ingest your BMR (for me that is 1230) calories + 3500 calories (that are in one pound). That means I need to eat 4,730 calories in one day. Can it be done? Sure. One piece of my favorite dessert from Cheesecake Factory could easily use up my BMR. But I would have to have a hearty breakfast, lunch and a large dinner to reach the 4000 calorie mark. Should I ever indulge that much, the next day I need to go back on
Phase 1--a Low Carb day. Hopefully, my pancreas will be in a more functional condition thanks to Ideal Protein and I can burn my calories more efficiently. And hopefully, now that I understand what carbs do to my body, my enlightened consciousness should overrule my gluttony.

Yes, it is possible that I might regain all 25 pounds and those slacks that are falling off of me now, may fit snugly once again. It is also possible that large shoulder pads will come back in style and my daughter will wish I had bequeathed all my theme sweaters to her in my will. Anything is possible. But I must tell myself that nothing tastes as good as thin feels. Or to quote a Founding Father---

We never repent of having eaten too little. ~Thomas Jefferson

Making the Most of This Food Experience

I am not a gardener.  I dream of having an incredible garden.  But with my postage stamp, shaded back yard, I have not had much success.  I do have a few patio pot veggies, and I have my herbs!

I love my herb baskets!  Each Mother's Day weekend, I go to the nursery and pick my herbs for the season. This year, I was even more excited to buy my herbs!  Fresh herbs have made a huge difference in the taste and quality of my meals on the Ideal Protein protocol.  I chose my herbs this year with future meals in mind. I bought cilantro, sweet basil, sage, thyme, chives, and some chocolate mint to sweeten my water!   This year I got an extra treat - I found this HUGE rosemary plant.  I can see chicken skewers on rosemary sticks and lots of rosemary and garlic pork tenderloins.  (Anyone need a rosemary start for their garden?) 

Being on Ideal Protein's Protocol requires you to eat a lot of lettuce, veggies, and meat. It lends me to think even more about the importance of eating well - eating organic when possible, and buying local.  More and more I try to buy local, and I am excited about buying a "cow" with some friends.  We found a local VA farmer who slaughters their own grass fed Angus cows.  I'm excited to stock my freezer with a 1/4 of a cow soon.  (Still looking for someone to get the last quarter of the cow.  Let me know if you're interested.)  

Interestingly, I just started reading a book called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.  It's a story of a women and her family's goal to only eat what they themselves grew or was grown locally. One year of drastic food changes changed this family in more ways than they expected.  It's a story of inspiration, of agricultural education, and of conviction.  I've only just begun the book, but I think it's very timely to read this story as I make drastic food changes in my own life.  I thought it would be fun to throw out a challenge to see how many people are willing to read the book as they walk through this weight loss, life changing experience.  Leave a comment if you are willing to pick up the book and give it a try.  ( Hint: Half.com  is a great place to find inexpensive books.)

Finally, for those of you interested in buying local.  Here are a few farms that might be worth checking out:  South Mountain Veggies, Fox Hollow Farm, Wagon Wheel Ranch, Martin's Angus Beef, Larriland Farm, Butler's Orchard

Lemon-Herb Chicken Kabobs

I have to share this delicious recipe I made on Monday night. It’s a modification from a Biggest Loser Recipe, and it’s definitely going to stay in my menu rotation!   After grilling the chicken, I took it off the skewers and served it on top of a huge bowl of lettuce with some of my homemade vinaigrette.   

Lemon-Herb Chicken Kabobs

 ¼ c. freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 ½ medium sized lemons)

3 ½ Tbsp.  freshly minced garlic

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil * - most of the oil stays in the marinade and is not consumed.

2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary

1 ½ tsp. finely chopped fresh sage

1 ½ tsp. coarsely ground black pepper

¾ tsp. salt (Kosher)

1 lb. trimmed boneless, skinless, chicken breasts cut into 1 ½ inch cubes

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice garlic, olive oil, rosemary, sage, pepper, and salt.

Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag or container, add the marinade, and toss.

Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 3-6 hours (or overnight), turning chicken at least once.

Preheat grill to high.  Soak 4 wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes (or use metal skewers).

Thread the chicken cubes onto the 4 skewers.  Place the kabobs on the grill and reduce heat to low. 

Grill for 2 minutes and rotate a quarter turn.  Continue to grill for 1 – 2 minutes per side, or until the chicken is no longer pink inside and juices run clear. 

Note:  cooking time is short b/c of small cubes and because the lemon juice has already begun the “cooking” process.

Serving Size: 2 skewers

Per serving: 140 calories, 52 g. protein, 0 Carbohydrates

Kim’s Vinaigrette Recipe (Makes 2 servings)
Freshly squeezed juice from ½ a lemon

2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. white vinegar

3 tsp. olive oil

1 – 2 Tbsp. spicy mustard (check label for no sugar)

1 tsp. freshly minced garlic

Salt & pepper to taste

The First Step is the Often the Hardest

My Ideal Protein journey began in a parking lot of a local grocery store.  I was loading my min-van full of groceries, and I thought I saw an acquaintance walk by.  I had to do a double take because the woman I saw was at least 50 lbs. slimmer than what I remember this lady weighing just a few months ago.  I convinced myself it wasn't her, and I went home without saying hello.  A few days later I was enjoying a large bowl of pasta at Carrabas when I saw another friend.  She and I had gone to Weight Watchers together and had some moderate success over the course of more than a year.  But this night at the restaurant, she was so slim - skinnier than I had ever seen her.  I told her she looked fabulous and asked if she was doing Weight Watcher's again.  She said no, that she was doing the Protein diet so many of our friends at my former church and job were doing.  I had no idea what diet she was referring to, but I was determined to find out.  After asking around work, I found five more co-workers all on the diet and all with large weight losses.  Whatever they were doing, it was working!!

I have been heavy most of my adult and adolescent life.  I really don't remember a time ever being an average weight.  Weight has always been my life battle.  I try to eat well.  I have gone for long periods with consistent exercise (and without).  I've followed numerous diets with minimal results and maximum frustration.  This year my weight ballooned to the highest it's ever been!  After the birth of my second child, I battled with some severe postpartum depression.  Hormonal changes, depression, and an ambivalence to my own well being led me to stop caring about my weight.  Truth be told I cared more than ever, but felt helpless to do anything. My body inflammation was at an all time high; I was in constant pain.  Yet, with Type II diabetes knocking at my door I couldn't ignore this issue any longer.

My husband came with me to an information meeting to offer support.  The presentation convinced me that this protocol was designed to target my number one enemy: insulin resistance.  My doctor had just asked me to consider going on some medications to address insulin resistance. This protocol gave me hope that I might be able to lose the weight, fix the underlying problem - insulin- and maintain my progress.  I was ready to commit to this strict way of life for however long it may take to lose my 100 pounds.

I went into my first weigh-in hopeful but guarded.  Women average 3-5 lbs. a week of weight loss. I have NEVER lost that much in one week. Tears streamed down my face when I stepped on that scale and saw that I had lost 8.9 lbs in the first week!! And the inches lost were stunning too: 1 from my bust, 2 1/2 from my hips, 1 from my waist, plus more on my arms and legs too!   Not every week will be a large numbers like that week, but the hope that was renewed in me that day keeps me going today.  I can do this...so can you.