Well after the diverticulitis, I caught my husband's cold. So was sick most of last week too. The bad part was I felt so tired I didn't walk at all. I had been getting into a groove of every other day, but now that's blown for the moment. As soon as I am over that I'll get back out to walking again. I miss it. I really do.
Another new little twist in the game is I was walking and all of a sudden I felt like my calf muscle was pulled. I thought maybe I was sitting wrong or something because it happened when I stood up. Unfortunately the other calf did the same thing as I was walking to my car. Turns out it could be a potassium thing so when I talked about it with Mandy at my appt today, she said to take an extra potassium supplement for a few days. Hopefully that will take care of the issue!
On a brighter note John and I went to see Les Miserables at our local theater over the weekend. It was an amazing performance (I've never seen the show although I know the story). Our local productions are fabulous. Next year they are taking on Dream Girls (which I very much want to see) along with 7 or 8 other performances I am hoping for Wicked in a year or so. I'd love to see that show again!!
Anyway, that's all for now. Have a great week!!
Week 17: -2.2
Total: -49
Monday, June 30, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Steak Marinade
I discovered Chef In Training via Facebook. Once again I am amazed by the talent out there. Sometimes its hard to find, but when I find a site I like I keep checking it out and I end up sharing a lot of the recipes through my FB newsfeed.
This easy steak marinade is one I shared a while ago but I just got around to making it this week.
It was fabulous!!! The flavor was amazing! and oh so simple. Just the way I like it. Add a side of grilled or sauteed vegetables and dinner is served!
Easy Steak Marinade
2 Tbsp lime juice (or juice 1 lime)
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp Montreal Steak Seasoning
Mix all ingredients and run into both sides of a steak. I did the rub first thing in the morning and let it hang out all day in the frig.
I used a 1.25 lb London broil, but the original recipe calls for 1-2 lb flank steak.
If you are not a griller (which I am not) here is an easy way to make it in the house.
Preheat oven to 400. Coat an oven safe grill pan with olive oil and heat to medium high for a minute or two. Sear the steak for 2-3 minutes on each side (depends on the thickness. The London broil I used was quite thick so I let it go 4 minutes per side). Put the pan in the oven and let cook for 15-20 minutes, until desired done-ness. I had an internal temp on the steak of 163, which was a perfect medium.
Enjoy!!!
This easy steak marinade is one I shared a while ago but I just got around to making it this week.
It was fabulous!!! The flavor was amazing! and oh so simple. Just the way I like it. Add a side of grilled or sauteed vegetables and dinner is served!
Easy Steak Marinade
2 Tbsp lime juice (or juice 1 lime)
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp Montreal Steak Seasoning
Mix all ingredients and run into both sides of a steak. I did the rub first thing in the morning and let it hang out all day in the frig.
I used a 1.25 lb London broil, but the original recipe calls for 1-2 lb flank steak.
If you are not a griller (which I am not) here is an easy way to make it in the house.
Preheat oven to 400. Coat an oven safe grill pan with olive oil and heat to medium high for a minute or two. Sear the steak for 2-3 minutes on each side (depends on the thickness. The London broil I used was quite thick so I let it go 4 minutes per side). Put the pan in the oven and let cook for 15-20 minutes, until desired done-ness. I had an internal temp on the steak of 163, which was a perfect medium.
Enjoy!!!
Monday, June 23, 2014
Weekly Weigh In: On The Mend
Well by the weekend I was feeling much more like myself. I'm still being cautious with vegetables as they can be hard to digest and I don't want a relapse of the diverticulitis. SO I'm having things like mashed turnips and probably spaghetti squash as its pretty soft when its cooked up right.
I tried grilled zucchini and that didn't seem to have any backlash so that will stay on the menu. I'll probably avoid broccoli for a bit. Asparagus is a maybe. It was one of the veg that my doc mentioned but only if al dente. The way I roast it it shouldn't be a problem. Still it may be avoided for a few days yet.
I lived mostly on IP foods and protein over the weekend. I'm OK with that. More chocolate {milk} pre-made protein shake all around :)
Week 16 Progress: -3.2
Total: -46.8
I tried grilled zucchini and that didn't seem to have any backlash so that will stay on the menu. I'll probably avoid broccoli for a bit. Asparagus is a maybe. It was one of the veg that my doc mentioned but only if al dente. The way I roast it it shouldn't be a problem. Still it may be avoided for a few days yet.
I lived mostly on IP foods and protein over the weekend. I'm OK with that. More chocolate {milk} pre-made protein shake all around :)
Week 16 Progress: -3.2
Total: -46.8
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Weekend update
Sorry for the lack of posting, especially recipes. Our household got hit kinda hard this week. The hubs came down with a nasty head cold and I had my third bout of diverticulitis. I get flare ups on average every 5-6 years so its not a bad thing, but still, clear liquids for 24-48 hours and then soft foods so not a lot of cooking around the house. John lived on chicken soup and frozen pizza (poor guy) I could have cooked for him but he just didn't feel like eating either
At least I got soft boiled eggs. :) My mom and gramma used to make them for me when I was just a wee blighter. They were the best. I've never had much success making them for some reason, but this time they turned out really good. The first food I ate in almost 2 days - I'm guessing it would have been good no matter what :)
Things are getting more back to normal now so hoping to research some new recipes and try them out soon. I'm thinking some marinades for grilling. We'll see what I come up with. I also want to try a tarka (whole seeds in hot oil) as a dressing. Learned about that in an Indian cooking class I took. But with the diverticulitis making an appearance I might have to be a little wary of seeds for bit. Those can aggravate the situation.
We'll see. I'll try and have something new next week.
Enjoy your weekend!
At least I got soft boiled eggs. :) My mom and gramma used to make them for me when I was just a wee blighter. They were the best. I've never had much success making them for some reason, but this time they turned out really good. The first food I ate in almost 2 days - I'm guessing it would have been good no matter what :)
Things are getting more back to normal now so hoping to research some new recipes and try them out soon. I'm thinking some marinades for grilling. We'll see what I come up with. I also want to try a tarka (whole seeds in hot oil) as a dressing. Learned about that in an Indian cooking class I took. But with the diverticulitis making an appearance I might have to be a little wary of seeds for bit. Those can aggravate the situation.
We'll see. I'll try and have something new next week.
Enjoy your weekend!
Monday, June 16, 2014
Weekly Weigh In: Week 16 Confessional
It finally happened. I just didn't want to cook. I didn't want to do anything but have food brought to me and eat it.
We ordered pizza last week. Papa Johns Double Bacon 6 Cheese on original crust. My oh y was it tasty ... for a bit. I ate 3 pieces and should have stopped at 2 (well should have never started but I was beyond that)
While it tasted good going down, it sat in my gut like a brick for 2 days. It took almost 5 day before I felt "normal" again. It was just too much. Lesson learned! I used to think that anything would be OK once I'm into maintenance. I really thought sugar would do me in more than the carbs. But I was wrong (very very painfully wrong). And now I know.
It was a good lesson to learn now while I still am (mostly) in the good eating habit. It will be very easy to stray once I'm free to eat as I please. It reminds me that "while all things are [will be] permissible, not all things are profitable"
This was certainly not profitable. I made cauliflower crust pizza later in the week and reveled in it. How great it tasted and how much better I felt eating it. I may even try a (turkey) bacon and a couple of different cheeses (if I can find soy equivalents) version some day. But for now its back to basics.
I suspect this will not be a losing week - I'm hoping for break even but think it might be a gain :( Again, lesson learned. I actually feel OK about it. I made the choice, I ate the pizza, I now get to deal with the consequences.
Week 16 Progress: -0.4
Total: -43.6
We ordered pizza last week. Papa Johns Double Bacon 6 Cheese on original crust. My oh y was it tasty ... for a bit. I ate 3 pieces and should have stopped at 2 (well should have never started but I was beyond that)
While it tasted good going down, it sat in my gut like a brick for 2 days. It took almost 5 day before I felt "normal" again. It was just too much. Lesson learned! I used to think that anything would be OK once I'm into maintenance. I really thought sugar would do me in more than the carbs. But I was wrong (very very painfully wrong). And now I know.
It was a good lesson to learn now while I still am (mostly) in the good eating habit. It will be very easy to stray once I'm free to eat as I please. It reminds me that "while all things are [will be] permissible, not all things are profitable"
This was certainly not profitable. I made cauliflower crust pizza later in the week and reveled in it. How great it tasted and how much better I felt eating it. I may even try a (turkey) bacon and a couple of different cheeses (if I can find soy equivalents) version some day. But for now its back to basics.
I suspect this will not be a losing week - I'm hoping for break even but think it might be a gain :( Again, lesson learned. I actually feel OK about it. I made the choice, I ate the pizza, I now get to deal with the consequences.
Week 16 Progress: -0.4
Total: -43.6
Monday, June 9, 2014
Weekly Weigh In: Week 15
Fifteen weeks ago I started on this journey. And now almost 4 months into it I can see the end of the road. On my home scale I have 13 more pounds to go to be at the goal I picked back in February. The office scale is 3 pounds heavier than mine at home, but since maintenance will be gauged by the home scale, that's what I'm using to decide when I'm done losing.
Its been an incredible journey and one that I'm glad I took. I'm definitely ready to move to the next phase mentally! But I'm so excited by the opportunities - I've already got a few cooking classes lined up so I can learn more about cooking low carb. I found a website that will compute nutritional information for recipes so I'll be able to compare different versions of the same recipe and check the carb count.
I know I know , I don't want to get too far ahead either though. With an average weight loss of around 3 pounds I still have a month to go, but I think that month might just go by rather quickly. And then Phase 2 for 2 weeks and then Phase 3 for 2 weeks then free range maintenance just in time for our honeymoon in Italy (I think I might be back on Phase 1 as soon as I get back to the States :))
I'll make sure I post before and after pics. I've got professional grade "befores" from the wedding so I might have to cajole one of my photographer friends to take some afters for me.
Week 15 Progress: -2.6
Total: -43.2
Its been an incredible journey and one that I'm glad I took. I'm definitely ready to move to the next phase mentally! But I'm so excited by the opportunities - I've already got a few cooking classes lined up so I can learn more about cooking low carb. I found a website that will compute nutritional information for recipes so I'll be able to compare different versions of the same recipe and check the carb count.
I know I know , I don't want to get too far ahead either though. With an average weight loss of around 3 pounds I still have a month to go, but I think that month might just go by rather quickly. And then Phase 2 for 2 weeks and then Phase 3 for 2 weeks then free range maintenance just in time for our honeymoon in Italy (I think I might be back on Phase 1 as soon as I get back to the States :))
I'll make sure I post before and after pics. I've got professional grade "befores" from the wedding so I might have to cajole one of my photographer friends to take some afters for me.
Week 15 Progress: -2.6
Total: -43.2
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Midweek Dinner: Crispy Chicken
I got the BBQ crisps this week at the clinic when I did my stock up run. They were out of a lot last week because of the holiday so I thought I'd get a variety pack of crisps and soup and stuff. I haven't had the BBQ crisps in a while and they sounded good. And I wanted to make crispy chicken again. I was much surprised to find that I hadn't posted this recipe yet. My apologies friends. This one should have gone up a while ago.
I got the recipe on the Innovative Aesthetics Facebook page under Notes. There are a lot of good recipes out there.
Ingredients:
-6 oz. chicken tenderloins ( or breast sliced into strips that's what I did above)
- 1 beaten egg
- 1 IP packet of crushed Unrestricted Chips - BBQ, Salt and Vinegar or Garlic are all fabulous
S+P to taste
Preheat oven to 375. Line cookie sheet or jelly roll pan with foil. Coat chicken in egg. Then, roll chicken in crushed garlic chips. Place chicken on foil-lined pan. Cook for 15-18 minutes. Last minute, select "broil" this seals the chips to be extra crispy and golden brown! Remove from oven, and enjoy.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Weekly Weigh in: Week 14
Hello again. Its time for the weekly weigh in :)
This week again went really well. The hubs and I spent most of last week in the Chicago area - visiting family and shopping. Mostly shopping :) I need a whole new wardrobe after all :D
From a diet perspective it was a lot of eating out. I brought snacks and bars for breakfast and the rest of the food came from restaurants. It went surprisingly well. I'd get hot tea and sit with John while he had breakfast. After my cookie dough bar, I was pretty content with the tea. We went to a BBQ place for dinner one night and except for forgetting to ask for the sauce on the side, the meal was meat and veg (really good smoked pulled pork and brisket meat :). I was able to scrape off most of the sauce so it wasn't a fiasco. At least it wasn't swimming in it!! The next night we went to a microbrewery and got steaks and seasonal veg. Again, nothing swimming in sauce and all pretty phase 1 friendly.
Last week I also took a low carb baking class. So excited for this. It totally lived up to my expectations too. Can't wait to be able to make my own low carb goodies (muffins and soda bread and crackers and granola). That time is coming soon. Only 15-20 pounds left to go depending on when I decide to stop.
What's that glimmering up ahead ... perhaps its the light at the end of this tunnel!!
Week 14 Progress: -3
Total: -40.6.
This week again went really well. The hubs and I spent most of last week in the Chicago area - visiting family and shopping. Mostly shopping :) I need a whole new wardrobe after all :D
From a diet perspective it was a lot of eating out. I brought snacks and bars for breakfast and the rest of the food came from restaurants. It went surprisingly well. I'd get hot tea and sit with John while he had breakfast. After my cookie dough bar, I was pretty content with the tea. We went to a BBQ place for dinner one night and except for forgetting to ask for the sauce on the side, the meal was meat and veg (really good smoked pulled pork and brisket meat :). I was able to scrape off most of the sauce so it wasn't a fiasco. At least it wasn't swimming in it!! The next night we went to a microbrewery and got steaks and seasonal veg. Again, nothing swimming in sauce and all pretty phase 1 friendly.
Last week I also took a low carb baking class. So excited for this. It totally lived up to my expectations too. Can't wait to be able to make my own low carb goodies (muffins and soda bread and crackers and granola). That time is coming soon. Only 15-20 pounds left to go depending on when I decide to stop.
What's that glimmering up ahead ... perhaps its the light at the end of this tunnel!!
Week 14 Progress: -3
Total: -40.6.
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