Sonoma Diet and the Mediterranean Diet - Anyone want to start an active Mediterranean thread?!?!

Hey all! I am looking to start on the Mediterranean plan...anyone want to start an active thread to share meal plans, recipe ideas, etc???

Hope to hear from you!

Caley

I'd kind of given up on this section of 3FC...I'd check in here and it would be like an empty cave..."Hellloooooo.....anybody out there?" LOL!

Hi there, I always hope this snoozy forum picks up, too! I'd be interested in a thread.

I don't know much about the Sonoma plan, but I have a tendency to lean towards a Mediterranean diet. I also like to focus on local or regional produce, and that doesn't usually involve saltwater seafood (even though I love it).

Hi ladies! :wave:

My doctor wants me to try the mediterranean diet, so I am here to join you if you will have me. I am still trying to learn about the diet. Do you have any good tips for me?

oooh, action! i had given up too! i am not following a book or specific plan, but the basic outlines of clean, whole foods, with a Mediterranean influence. i'm just looking for people to bounce recipe ideas, etc off of!

the diet is outlined in the sticky section of this forum...

does anyone have any favorites they want to share?

Hi skinnywish,

I spent some time reading the mediterranean diet book today. I am starting to get the idea of this diet. Thanks for directing me to the stickies as well. I am also looking for good recipes. Hopefully we will both have some to share soon.

Keep posting here and you will keep the thread alive.

ok, what if we all post our favorite mediterranean inspired meals?

i LOVE whole wheat pita, with chicken breast, homemade hummus, homemade tzatziki, cucumbers, red onion, tomatoes stuffed inside. yum!

i also love for a healthy crunchy/salty snack...open a can of chickpeas, rinse and dry. coat with favorite seasoning (i like cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and salt and pepper) and bake in the oven until dry. store them in an airtight container and they replace deepfried salty snacks!

anyone else???

Wow, skinnywish, I have to try those chickpeas! Yum.

I like stir-fry dishes a lot lately: usually shrimp and tons of whatever vegetables I have on hand. They're more Asian than they are Mediterranean, but the diets are quite similar (see mediterrasian.com). I usually make the proportions so that each serving is 3 oz meat, 1-1.5 cups of vegetables, 1-1.5 tablespoons of oil, and about 2/3 cup of brown rice.

To get this forum active again: we could all pick a couple of threads and post replies (even an old one), and we could also start some new threads too.

I am actually at goal but my doctor reccomends a meditarreanean diet as being a healthy way to go, so I am interested as I want to maintain my loss and being healthy is a major goal , too.

i think it's the way that people are meant to eat. healthy, fresh, whole foods - if you do it right you are getting a huge spectrum of vitamins, etc.

now i just need that holiday to greece to perfect it....;)

Glad to see so many people interested! I saw the Sonoma Diet book in the dollar store, so I figured it was not successful in the bookstores. I bought one for my niece, but I'd spent full price for my copy. I also got the cookbook for my sister at an outlet store for $4.99.

I do like my glass of red wine at night, and I am married to an Italian who loves his pasta and bread, so Mediterranean really appeals to me.

Hi. I loooove the whole fresh foods aspect of the mediterranean diet. I am all for this group being successful! Right now I have a bunch of recipes I am using. I am thankful its spring and I can drag out the grill. Nothing better than grilled chicken, shrimp, and veggies.

hi laurie2275! could you share some shrimp recipes with us? i never know what to do with them...

skinnywish..Well, there is soooo much I do with shrimp...the smart taste pasta with olives, sun dried tomatoes, feta, lemon combo is good, I sometimes make a med. pizza with shrimp blackening seasoning, fresh baby spinach, garlic, etc...
Sometimes throw it in a stir fry with brown rice and veggies and soy, sometimes I puree it with some lemon and olive tapenade for a pocket...just lots to do for a yummy meal...sometimes I just skewer with veggies and throw on some Mrs. Dash table seasoning...that's great too! Hope this helps!! Good luck everyone!!!

BTW, I will come daily if you all do too!!!

I modify Meditrranean with FBD with South Beach. I'm in!!! :)

Hope everyone had a good weekend...It's kinda blah here in NH. I did pretty well over the weekend. We watched my brother's kids and my daughter had a sleepover so it was a full house. We had some pizza (the delivery-not-good-for-you-kind). I stuck to 2 pieces...YAY!
My husband travels for work and is MIA this week so will be making meals just for my daughter and myself. This is good and bad. Hard to make healthy meals for 2 but not tempted with bad choices that mh dh loves.
Today, I'm thinking 20 min. eliptical, some weights, and meals including whole grain cereal, a boca chicken sandwich for lunch, and grilled fish and brown rice with veggies for dinner. Throw in an apple or yogurt and I have a good day.

Hope you are all doing well!!!

Hey all!

I've been trying a few Sonoma recipes here and there and so far I love them all (with one exception...the Easy Balsamic Chicken was really dry...however I did make it in the over and not grill it). I'm really considering committing to this plan for the summer and seeing how it goes. I do not have the Cookbook, but I do have the original Diet book, it was on clearance for $3.99! I especially like the Broccoli with Roasted Red Peppers and Goat Cheese...mmmm....my new obsession!

Hey all!

I've been trying a few Sonoma recipes here and there and so far I love them all (with one exception...the Easy Balsamic Chicken was really dry...however I did make it in the over and not grill it). I'm really considering committing to this plan for the summer and seeing how it goes. I do not have the Cookbook, but I do have the original Diet book, it was on clearance for $3.99! I especially like the Broccoli with Roasted Red Peppers and Goat Cheese...mmmm....my new obsession!

How about sharing your recipe the Broccoli and Roasted Red Peppers ?

How about sharing your recipe the Broccoli and Roasted Red Peppers ?

No Problem! It is the recipe in the book:

Sauteed Broccoli, Roasted Peppers, and Goat Cheese
SERVES 4 (change servings and units)

* 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 4 cups broccoli florets
* 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
* 1 cup bottled roasted red pepper, drained and chopped
* 1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olive
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
* 1 green onion, thinly sliced
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram or 1 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
* 2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Directions

1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet.

2. Add broccoli and garlic and cook until crisp-tender (5 - 8 minutes).

3. Stir in peppers, olives, parsley, green onion, marjoram, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Heat through.

4. Remove from heat and sprinkle with goat cheese. (I like to let the vegetables cook a bit before adding the cheese so it doesn't melt.).

Enjoy!;)

That sounds delish and healthy, too

That sounds delish and healthy, too

Yup, it sure is! I tend to use 3 oz. of Goat Cheese though...not as healthy but soooo much better than a bag of potato chips:) I may add asparagus next time and see how it turns out.

Oooh yummy. Can I join too? My BF and I already eat leaning towards the Mediterranean side of thing and love it. Although lately I've been hearing how you should use your olive oil fresh (drizzled over the food last) and another oil better suited for higher temperatures to cook. What do you all think of that? I'd cooked with olive oil all my life but apparently the good stuff breaks down when you heat it. Hmmm....I do like it fresh though. We usually saute now in chicken broth or when we have to use oil have been using coconut oil.

Also - here's a new recipe (from back of lebini container) that we just tried and loved:

The Greek Gods Kefir Cheese Lebni (Greek Sour Cream) - 80 Calories for 2 TBLS

"A staple of every Mediterranean and Middle Eastern meal, Lebni can be eaten the traditional way, by drizzling olive oil over it and dried mint, and scooping it with pita bread."

We mixed ours up with cucumbers and really recommend using whole wheat pitas to impart a smoky flavor and use them as picnic sandwiches. Salt optional.

CAN'T WAIT TO TRY THE CHICKPEA SNACK RECIPE. At what temperature and h?ow long do you bake it for?

Welcome bobblefrog! I wish I had an answer to your question, but I have no idea! Maybe the more experienced ppl here can help you out.

I had a question for all of you; have you tried the Spa Lean Cuisines that the Sonoma Diet recommends as a fast option? I've tried several and they are very tasty! Still, I wonder if it is too good to be true...the portions are great, they have twice the veggies of normal Lean Cuisine meals, 18-20g of protein, 3-6g of fat, and 220-260 calories. They also use 100% whole grains...yes, fresh is always best, but could these count as a healthy meal to promote weight loss?

so sorry...internet down for a few days :-(

I did write this while away tho..
This week I went grocery shopping for 2 weeks. I spent $262.00 which is not bad since some of my staples will last more than a month.

I got
4 lemons
bag of organic apples
lrg mushroom
golden raisins
lettuce
sunflower seeds
granola
blueberries (3)
blackberries (3)
strawberries (1 lg)

Meat
2 grd turkey
shaved roast beef
shaved turkey breast
2 lg chicken breast (that I cut into tenders)
veggie pepperoni and bacon
chicken sausage
boneless pork chops
bag shrimp

Grocery Items
Kashi Dk cocnt bars
Italian crushed Tom
2 Bush baked beans
Hot pepper relish
Light wheat bread
Ripe olives
Diet coke 5 12 pk cans- on sale
Smart taste pasta
Low carb lavash bread
Garlic herb tortilla
Organic raisin bran
Organic maple pecan
Wheat couscous
Brown rice
Medium salsa
Organic tortilla chips
Envirokids bars berry







Frozen Food
2 lg. Broccoli
5 healthy choice meals
WW chocolate ice cream bars
Fudgesicle
2 lg.Mixed veggies



Service Deli
Reduced fat feta
All natural hotdogs
Taboule salad
Hommus


Wine
2 bottles of red zin

Dairy
Free sharp cheddar slices
Free Mozz shredded cheese (2)
Laughing cow cheese(2)
Medium eggs
Fiber one yogurt
Simply smart FF milk

Candy
Dark chocolate

I love a lot of sandwiches in the summer and have been doing wraps. I USED to slather on the mayo but have realized that I was really just wanting some moisture and for the sandwich to not be too dry. I have been adding olive tapenade or hot pepper relish and olives. Both a very tasty with fewer calories than mayo and much better nutritionally.

For dinner, I am usually grilling some meat, brown rice or cous cous, and some steamed veggies. I love the 3 bean blends with a little lemon and olive oil.

Basically, I try to make it tasty, healthy and not too labor intensive. How is everyone else doing?

Your recipe looks great, Tiny!!

Bobble: You know I just read something about that. I use olive oil still most of the time but have heard that both grapeseed oil and sunflower oil have higher burn rates.

BTW, did a great dinner.

Grilled Chicken.
Now, we have a family of 3 so I cut up 2 breasts into tenders (always seems like a lot). I tossed them with about 2 tbs of Mrs dash Lemon Pepper and 1 tbs olive oil

Sauteed 1 qt mushroooms with spray olive oil

In medium saucepan boiled 1 bag of brown rice in Campbells Harvest Select French Onion soup and about a half cup of water

Microwave steamed 3 bean veggie with more of the Lemon Pepper seasoning and a bit of I cant believe its not butter spray.

Once the rice was cooked I mixed it in with the shrooms and added some of the soup for more flavor.

Was great!

BTW, did a great dinner.

Grilled Chicken.
Now, we have a family of 3 so I cut up 2 breasts into tenders (always seems like a lot). I tossed them with about 2 tbs of Mrs dash Lemon Pepper and 1 tbs olive oil

Sauteed 1 qt mushroooms with spray olive oil

In medium saucepan boiled 1 bag of brown rice in Campbells Harvest Select French Onion soup and about a half cup of water

Microwave steamed 3 bean veggie with more of the Lemon Pepper seasoning and a bit of I cant believe its not butter spray.

Once the rice was cooked I mixed it in with the shrooms and added some of the soup for more flavor.

Was great!

Ooooo, that sounds good, laurie2275! I'll have to try it.

Speaking of all things good, I tried Quinoa for the first time yesterday in yet another Sonoma Diet book recipe and it was FABULOUS! The following recipe makes a ton, but it's soooo good:)

Toasted Quinoa Pilaf

If you've never heard of quinoa, you're missing out! This supergrain is full of zinc and iron and has as much quality protein as milk! Add a bay leaf and some thyme, and you've got one savory treat.

PREP: 20 minutes
COOK: 20 minutes
MAKES: 12 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots or onion
6 cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon minced)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups quinoa,* or barley, rinsed and well drained
3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1 bay leaf
1 cup bottled roasted red bell peppers, diced
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan cook shallots and garlic in hot oil over medium heat until tender. Carefully stir in quinoa or barley. Next, stir in broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 15-20 minutes or until quinoa is tender and fluffy (cook barley about 10 minutes or until tender) and liquid is absorbed.

2. Discard bay leaf. Gently stir in roasted peppers. Season to taste with kosher salt and black pepper.

Nutrition Facts per serving:
25 Cal.
3 g total fat (0 g sat. fat)
0 mg cholesterol
169 mg sodium
1 g carbohydrates
2 g fibers
4 g protein

*Note: Look for quinoa at a health food store or in the grains section of a large supermarket.

Enjoy!!!

Oh, and one more little triumph for me....Even though the gym was only open until noon today (and it's my only day off), I STILL WENT TO THE GYM!! Wahoo!!

TT: Sounds Awesome. I had heard of quinoa and looked for it at the grosh but couldnt find it. Ill have to try the natural foods store here in New Hampsha.

How does it taste? Like rice?

Congrats on hitting the gym. We did wii fit yesterday and I plan on biking today. Feeling like I am coming down with a cold though. I am always soooo unmotivated when I even feel slightly ill.

I need to try the quinoa too - I love trying new grains. I see the recipe can be done with barley, too which is really a great fiber food.

If you all haven't found it, whfoods.org is full of information about all the veggies, herbs, fish and grains we love. The guy IS selling a book, but seriously, there is so much valuable info here that it is worth posting the link. I love reading up on something new and getting all excited about how healthy it is. Have tried some of the recipes too and have had success with most of them. Hope this is a good resource for you!

Memorial Day I went OP - too much wine and yum, homemade bacon cheeseburgers and all the stuff they lay out - but I think I can recover. I'm thinking of it as a refeed day (although I don't think WINE is what I was supposed to refeed on!) Back to the exercise room today and going to reduce my calories by a couple of hundred each day for the rest of the week. Didn't lose last week being on OP so maybe I needed a little shakeup and now shake "down"!

Hi girls! Just checking in. Still eating good and workin out. I have really been into wii fit. I unlocked the free step and free run and can do 10 min each with some yoga stretches and a few games. I have been getting really sweaty and not too sore the next day. I have lost bout 10 lbs this month? I love this style of eating and can totally keep this up! Now if only I can get rid of this darn cold!!! UGH!

I am going to be slightly bad tonight though. My girlies and I are going to a Cake concert (in MASS). I am sure there will be massive amounts of alcohol drunk. We are all sans husband and sans kids for 1 whole night. Might be a little of mommy gone wild!

How is everyone else doing? Great, I hope!!! TA TA, Ladies!!!

hmm...didnt update the post out there?

Hey all,

So, I've been doing alright with my eating but have been running into a problem. The few recipes for the main protein in the meal that I've tried have all turned out too dry. Anyone have some good chicken, steak or fish recipes that won't leave me gagging? Thanks!

Oh, and Laurie2275, the quinoa does taste similar to brown rice but it's...softer? Maybe that's the word? I really think the recipes I tried gave amazing flavor to it, I don't know what it would taste like plain.

Hi Tina, maybe you could try modifying the recipes to include more liquid? I know that with chicken, it's easy to overcook it and dry it out.

I was computerless for a month, but I'm back with a new laptop and WOW, what a big difference from the one I had from 2002!

I've discovered a web site called supercook that brings up recipes based on what you have in your kitchen already. Love!! I can postpone grocery shopping.

For the most part, my pantry and freezer are stocked with healthy stuff. I just have to get on the ball and use it!

Exercise - bleh. I am not loving the idea right now. Anybody got ideas on how to motivate??

Hi Tina, maybe you could try modifying the recipes to include more liquid? I know that with chicken, it's easy to overcook it and dry it out.

Exercise - bleh. I am not loving the idea right now. Anybody got ideas on how to motivate??

Hey thanks! I'll try that site and adding more liquid. As far as exercising, I was motivated today by flipping the TV channels and found a P90x infomercial....I got off the couch and went strait to my exercise bike, haha. You can do it!!!

TT,

OK! Trying your recipe for quinoa tonight! Im psyched! Always LOVE to try new foods!

I have been working out A LOT this week. The slow day was a half hour, I did 2 hours most days. Lots of running, wii fit free step, and biking, also a little resistance training. Lots of sweating but feeling great!

Foods have been good too! I love that its spring. Lots of grilling!! Tonight we are doing grilled chicken with your lovely quinoa recipe and some steamed broc. Just doing good and feeling good despite a pretty dismal loss this week. Oh well, just keepin it up and moving forward!

Good luck, everyone!

I'm going to join your little group, because I'm Greek and been cooking/eating this way all my life. (Greeks are the food pimps of the culinary world...we live to feed people!)

I recently found whole wheat phyllo dough. I just ordered some online since it's not carried in any local shops (I live in a small town). I'm looking forward to using it. Phyllo is fat-free. It's the butter or oil added to it that makes foods like baklava so decadent. But I've found that using an oil atomizer or spray (like Pam) keeps the fat content much lower. Then you can proceed with fillings that are amazingly delicious and healthy. Like spinach and feta. Last week a girlfriend and I came up with a spanokopita recipe (the spinach filled phyllo dish) that also included finely chopped fennel and chopped frozen artichoke hearts. It was amazing!

Hyacinth (I love your name!), the reason why chicken breasts get dry is because they are so low in fat. It takes very little to gook them and we have a tendency to overcook because we might be afraid of salmonella. Plus, if you're using frozen chicken breasts, the moisture usually in the breast with leak out when thawed. One way to ensure juicy, moist chicken is to brine it before cooking. Place the thawed chicken breasts in a solution of salt and water for about 1 hour in the refrigerator. You can then cook them gently, getting the internal temperature to maintain 160F for just around 5 seconds, which really is a safe temp and still produces a moist breast. I know a lot of experts say to cook them to 170F, but that's mostly for food industry trying to avoid problems. If you want to serve to children, then take it to a little high temp, like 165F, just to be safe.

You can pound out your chicken breast to 1/2" thick, season it well, dredge it in a little flour, then saute in a little bit of olive oil with garlic and chopped onions, until golden on both sides. Toss some broccolini or other veggies on top of it, pour some low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth over it just to cover the breasts, put a lid on it and let it steam until the veggies are done crisp/tender. You can plate your veggies and chicken, then you'll find a nice sauce will have formed with the broth and little bit of flour you used. You can cook that down a little more, adding a little lemon or white wine to brighten the flavors and pour that over the chicken. YUM!!!!

One last thing...real Mediterranean cuisine only includes fruit after supper, and watermelon is one of the best ones! My grandfather used to grow and sell watermelon in the San Joaquin Valley in California after he first immigrated from Greece. Lots of water, not too sweet, extra fiber...but I spend a lot of time in the bathroom afterwards!

I didn't get fat on a Mediterranean diet, although I was always "not thin" when I was young. Overeating is overeating, even when healthy foods are concerned. I am proof of that!

Georgia

Just had the quinoa! Success! So yummy!

I recently found whole wheat phyllo dough. I just ordered some online since it's not carried in any local shops (I live in a small town). I'm looking forward to using it. Phyllo is fat-free. It's the butter or oil added to it that makes foods like baklava so decadent. But I've found that using an oil atomizer or spray (like Pam) keeps the fat content much lower. Then you can proceed with fillings that are amazingly delicious and healthy. Like spinach and feta. Last week a girlfriend and I came up with a spanokopita recipe (the spinach filled phyllo dish) that also included finely chopped fennel and chopped frozen artichoke hearts. It was amazing!

Hyacinth (I love your name!), the reason why chicken breasts get dry is because they are so low in fat. It takes very little to gook them and we have a tendency to overcook because we might be afraid of salmonella. Plus, if you're using frozen chicken breasts, the moisture usually in the breast with leak out when thawed. One way to ensure juicy, moist chicken is to brine it before cooking. Place the thawed chicken breasts in a solution of salt and water for about 1 hour in the refrigerator. You can then cook them gently, getting the internal temperature to maintain 160F for just around 5 seconds, which really is a safe temp and still produces a moist breast. I know a lot of experts say to cook them to 170F, but that's mostly for food industry trying to avoid problems. If you want to serve to children, then take it to a little high temp, like 165F, just to be safe.

You can pound out your chicken breast to 1/2" thick, season it well, dredge it in a little flour, then saute in a little bit of olive oil with garlic and chopped onions, until golden on both sides. Toss some broccolini or other veggies on top of it, pour some low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth over it just to cover the breasts, put a lid on it and let it steam until the veggies are done crisp/tender. You can plate your veggies and chicken, then you'll find a nice sauce will have formed with the broth and little bit of flour you used. You can cook that down a little more, adding a little lemon or white wine to brighten the flavors and pour that over the chicken. YUM!!!!


Wow, thanks, geoblewis, and welcome! Your recipe with the phyllo sounds GREAT! Anything including spinach and feta is already high on my list. Also, thanks for the advice on cooking the chicken, I will definitely try that, it sounds delicious!

Just had the quinoa! Success! So yummy!

Yay! I'm so glad you liked it! It had a lot more flavor than I expected, I'll probably make it again soon just in a smaller batch:)

Geoblewis, WELCOME! I would love to hear some of your recipes! I love to cook! I think this diet plan (or just style of cooking) is one of the easiest to maintain. The big key is that the food has so much flavor. On some of the lower fat diets, everything tastes so bland. Please feel free to share! Where did you find the wheat phyllo online? I would LOVE to make some Spanakopita. Could you use egg beaters also instead of oil?

Welcome, geoblewis! Thank you for joining us.

I notice we're the same height and roughly the same weight. I feel a bond already! :)

That steamed chicken recipe sounds delicious! It should go on a recent thread I saw about quick-and-dirty chicken recipes.

Today I made a curried tuna salad that I saw once in Self magazine: 3 oz tuna, 1.5 T light mayo, 1/2 tsp curry powder, 1T celery, 1T raisins, 1T sliced almonds. Wherever I see mayo, I go half plain yogurt and half mayo. The recipe says to put it in pita pockets, but I rolled it in large romaine lettuce leaves instead.

I'm interested in the whole-wheat phyllo, too.

I found the whole wheat phyllo at www.wellnessgrocer.com. I ordered a bunch of it and they're shipping it in a Styrofoam container with dry ice. I'll let you know how the shipping goes.

I don't believe you can substitute the Egg Beaters for the oil on the phyllo, Laurie. The phyllo is already going to get dry when you bake it and I don't believe the Egg Beaters will work the same as the Pam spray would. However, the Egg Beaters would be fine inside the spanokopita, with non-fat yogurt, spinach and feta.

Hyacinth, I used to live overseas and I had an Indian cook. She was from Kerala. She used to make a curried tuna sandwich dish that was amazing! I actually just found it online:

12 oz. tuna in oil
1 cup grated coconut
1 teaspoon garlic chopped
1 teaspoon ginger chopped
4 green chillies, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon coriander powder
½ teaspoons turmeric powder
2 teaspoons red chilli powder
1 tablespoon tamarind paste
1 sprig curry leaves
½ cup water
salt to taste

Make a coarse paste with coconut and the rest of the ingredients, except tamarind paste, water and curry leaves. Add very little water while grinding if required. Remove the paste into a pan. Add the water, tamarind paste and curry leaves. Mix well and bring to a boil.

Open the tuna can(s) and drain off the oil. Add tuna to the gravy in the pan. Cover and cook for about 6 minutes or till the tuna is cooked and coated with the gravy.

Jancy used to make hot sandwiches for me with this stuff. I think if I were to make it today, I'd definitely use the water-packed tuna.

*sigh*I miss Jancy and her cooking and housekeeping talents.*sigh*

Still, Hyacinth, I like your idea of the tuna lettuce wrap. It sounded like a very fresh tasting recipe, and the substitution of the yogurt for half the mayo sounds great!

So, we're the same size? I'm built like one of those girls from the Queen song...not much action in the bra department, however. It's strange where I've lost inches...first my forearms and my face, then my breasts, then my lower legs (I can wear my boots again!), then my hips and backside, then my belly, then my inner thighs, and last of all, my batwing underarms. I'm easily into a size 24 top, except I can't get my upper arms to fit, so I still have to wear the 26-28.

Okay, tonight I'm craving pasta, so it's whole wheat spaghetti with a chunky vegetable and organic grass-fed beef sauce. I cut back on the meat and sneak diced eggplant, mushrooms and zucchini into the sauce. Sometimes I'll even put in a little spinach. And then the secret Greek flavor ingredients...1/4 tsp. nutmeg and cinnamon! The boys chow that down and ask for seconds too. Add a nice Greek salad with Kalamata olives and feta and cherry tomatoes, drizzled with a little good olive oil...when I was little, my mother used to mash the homegrown tomatoes down a little so their juices flowed into the salad, and squeezed in some lemon juice and a little too much olive oil. Then she'd generously sprinkle her homegrown Greek oregano on top, the seeds of which she had smuggled in to California years ago when she came here. We couldn't wait to get down to the bottom of the salad, because we'd take chunks of her bread and dredge it into the juices down there. That's a big Greek "O"!

Got myself all excited for dinner there...:o

Geo

Geo, with that salad description, and the hot tuna curry sandwich (yum), you HAVE earned the title of Food Pimp!!

So when we get together to trade clothes, can it be at your house and you cook!??? ha ha ha ha

Yum everybody! I just came off of a day of cheap cupcakes and frozen pizza (blech - I can't believe I actually wasted calories on them). It was my nephews birthday and you know how that goes. The kid didn't even like them. Smarter than I was. Oh well. Some days! LOL.

But back OP today. Geoblewis you reminded me of my travels in the Greek islands - dinners in the taverna were followed by a sharp knife...we were urged by the owner to simply cut off the clusters grapes that grew over our heads in abundance for our dessert. Heavenly!

But back OP today. Geoblewis you reminded me of my travels in the Greek islands - dinners in the taverna were followed by a sharp knife...we were urged by the owner to simply cut off the clusters grapes that grew over our heads in abundance for our dessert. Heavenly!

Wow, I wanna go to the Greek Islands...so jealous!:p I can't imagine how great those grapes were!

Oh, and no worries bobblefrog, I actually had a hot fudge sundae a few minutes ago...it was my last day of school (FINALLY) so I'm off until next school year. Being a music teacher is fun but WOW was I ready for today to be over!! I'm going to do some extra time on my bike today and get back on track tomorrow. Have a good one all!

Hyacinth, you totally can come to my house and I will cook for you! I live in Central California, in the grape region, and my family has a vineyard too! In a former life, I was a custom clothier, so you bring all your clothes and I'll do all the alterations, but you have to clean up after me in the kitchen and the sewing room...and I like to use ALL the pots and pans when I cook.

I've actually only been to Greece once (imagine that!) and we walked for several hours from our holiday apartment up to the Acropolis and back down to the Plaka before we went into a taverna...where I found someone who knew my cousins who lived on a completely different island closer to Turkey! We ate far too much, but we definitely worked it off that day. Later in the week, we drove through Corinth and down into Peloponisos and stopped in the tangerine orchards along the way. Yum!

Today we picked the first tomato from my mother's garden. So tasty. My mom had harvested her oregano and had it out to dry in the backyard, so the whole place was heady with oregano. (I know - this is more like food porn...sorry!)

I don't talk food all the time! Only when I'm awake!

Georgia

Keep it come, Geo! We can take it!

So, went "off plan" yesterday food-wise. My gf's father passed away 2 weeks ago and she got off early and wanted to "do lunch". We had some delish sushi and a bottle of wine. Later, hubbie made turkey tacos and I had 3.....so, coulda been better but still got my workout done so at almost a month of exercising every day. Go me!

.....so, coulda been better but still got my workout done so at almost a month of exercising every day. Go me!

Wow! Everyday?! Way to go!!!!

THANKS! I figure I should give myself a half hour a day. I do a LOT of wii fit stepping but mix it up a lot too. I am actually really starting to love it again. I throw on the ipod and step like I am dancing to all my favorite fast songs.

I think I need a new ipod though. Mine is not holding a charge anymore...grrr!

How you doin', Tina?

THANKS! I figure I should give myself a half hour a day. I do a LOT of wii fit stepping but mix it up a lot too. I am actually really starting to love it again. I throw on the ipod and step like I am dancing to all my favorite fast songs.

I think I need a new ipod though. Mine is not holding a charge anymore...grrr!

How you doin', Tina?

Thanks for asking, laurie2275:) Actually, the past two days have been sub par diet/exercise-wise, BUT today I got my butt out of bed, ate a healthy breakfast, and went to the gym. I got on the treadmill and RAN 2 miles!!!! I walked one lap at the start to warm up and told myself I'd just alternate laps, run one, walk one, etc. Well, when it came time to switch back to walking, I told myself I could probably run one more. Before i knew it I ran 6 of the 8 laps!! Walking the first and last...I felt great! Then it was elliptical time for about a half hour to finish my hour of cardio for the day.

After the gym I had some grilled steak and veggies....so good! Plus, I got done scrubbing my kitchen clean and got a load of dishes done. It's so nice being productive! It's great because since I'm a teacher my summer vacation started yesterday and I can actually get everything I need to get done finished.

I'm going to make a Greek Pizza recipe I found on this site a while back for dinner. If it turns out well I'll be sure to post the recipe:D I just hope my hubby likes it!

Hey all! Yes, loved my trip to the islands - I hope to go back one day. The people were lovely and the food was to die for. There were these deep fried...hmm..minnows? Sardines? With their heads on and done up whole (I know this sounds a little weird bu they were really good) that you dipped in this pink tahinni/hummus stuff...OMGosh they were good. I have only once find a Greek restaurant since then that I thought was authentic now that I know what that is! I also have a fondness for Retsina now, although that was definitely an acquired taste. We sailed during the days, staying in ports at night. We'd go up to town when we'd get in and buy food - often there wasn't a grocery store of any sort - women in babushkas (we didn't speak each other's languages - just managed with signing) would take us into their homes (oh you should see the flowers - all tropical colors spilling from beautiful white verandas) and we'd point to what we needed and pay them - eggs, fresh bread etc. They would pluck at my holes in the knees of my jeans and just laugh at me good naturedly. It was such a beautiful lovely place. Although I understand life is rough for them - most of the young people were going to the mainland as there was no work. Course this was back mid-80's. Wonder what is like there now?

Lately I have not felt like cooking - what does everyone do for this style eating when they don't have the energy or time to cook? I'd love some ideas...

Bobblefrog and Geo, your trips sound so wonderful! It has always been a dream of mine to go to Greece.

What I do when I don't like to cook: chopped fresh vegetables dipped in whatever sauce I have (hummus, a yogurt-based dish, or tapenade), meal salads (a big salad with meat, beans, nuts, etc added to it), or a good bread with turkey or jam and cheese and fruit/vegetable sides.

I got a late start to gardening this year, and just put some stuff in my yard yesterday. I planted cucumbers, beans, zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, tomatillos, parsley, flat-leaf parsley, basil, oregano, rosemary, and chives. I also did a few flowers.

I have a rhubarb plant that has been going nuts lately, so I currently have about 13 cups of chopped rhubarb in my kitchen. I'm going to probably cook up a few recipes with it tonight and bring something tasty to work on Monday.

This week, my kitchen has: chicken sausage, yellow/red/orange bell peppers, onions, carrots, grapefruit, grapes, bananas. Not sure what I'll make yet, but I'm thinking pasta for dinner one night.

Laurie, can you replace the iPod battery, or do a restore?

Tina, I hear ya on the sub par on the whole diet. I am starting alli...not because of my fat grams per meal but as a deterrent for having the bad stuff that I want to give into,

Bobble and Geo, I agree with Hyacinth, your vacas sound amazing! I have been to Italy but never to Greece. My husband has to travel A LOT for his job and accumulates FF miles like crazy. We will probably do a trip in a few yrs. Right now, we are saving miles to hit Fiji. I would love to spend a week there and then to a cruise through the South Pacific. We are saving enough miles for us and another couple we know to come with. So excited!

Hyacinth, your garden sounds amazing. We planted mostly flowers this yr. but some tomatos, peppers, cucs and zucchini.

My hubs says changing an ipod battery is pretty involved. I have done a restore but nothing. I can get a half hour and then it shuts off. UGH! I will prolly pick up a nano tomorrow. I will be going to FL in July for a few weeks and would be using my audio books a LOT! Plus, I use it every day to workout. So, I NEED one!

Having a great day today. One hr of cardio. Ate great! Keeping it up! Yesterday......not so much. I got in my workout but we went to dinner and a bar to hear a band with friends. I had a grilled chix taco salad (ate some of the shell) some chips and salsa, 1 froz. raspberry margarita, 4 rum n diets. Not so good on the calorie front but I didnt gain! Woot!

Hope everyone is doin FAB!!!!!

Workout Song of the Day:22 by Lily Allen

Laurie, Fiji sounds like a wonderful trip. I'm very envious and I can't wait to hear all about it!

I've occasionally thought about taking the Alli, but want to be in a place in my life where I can stay at home, close to the "facilities", until I can get accustomed to managing the situation. I took it when it first came out as a prescription drug and found it to be a great deterrent to eating fats. Which is my one big weakness. I'm trying to keep my fat intake under 65 gm/day, but in all honesty, I'm eating 80-100 gm/day.

Bobble, those were smelt that you were eating in Greece. I grew up on that stuff! My mother used to butterfly them open and fry them up. We must have eaten them once a week when I was little. Later on, when she learned about the evils of frying, she switched to broiling them, and they were just as tasty. She'd make a sauce with grated red onion, finely chopped parsley, olive oil and lemon juice, and then we'd spread that over the smelts. OMG! So delicious.

Another way to have fish is to wrap it in grapevine leaves and grill or bake it. You can wrap whole fish, like trout, or fillets. The vine leaves will add a lovely tang to the fish. You can buy vine leaves in some supermarkets or specialty food stores. You could also go out and pick them from a grape vine, but you have to find the right varieties of grapes and pick them during the spring/early-summer months when the leaves are still tender.

Not Mediterranean, but still tasty, is to wrap fish in banana leaves and bake or stem them. You can find those in Asian markets, usually in the freezer section.

I started my day with a cup of coffee and some spanokopita...and later my sons and I will be cleaning up after our family gathering yesterday. I did really well with the eating yesterday, and also spent the day running around getting it all ready. Today will be just as busy with clean up, so I'll get back to formal exercise tomorrow.

Georgia

SMELTS!! That's it - and they are just as good broiled? Here in Denver I have read recently about a new seafood market that flies in fresh from Seattle daily. Maybe I should see if they have a good substitute if not the real thing? Thank you for sharing your recipe geoblewis/Georgia! We are also planning a more exotic "food week" and will go to Pacific Mercantile (which is the pan-asian market downtown). I'll look to see about those leaves, too...

Hyacinth - you inspired me!!! BF agrees - this week we're going to get a lot of fresh veggies and different sauces like you suggest for lots of interest and olives and a little REALLY GOOD cheese (recently we picked up a little sample of Istara P'Tit Pyrenees and OMG it was so complex - you know how it starts at one flavor and as you chew it and it moves across your palette it becomes other flavors?) and do a sort of antipasto week. I also have a bunch of potatos I picked up from the $1 bin of our local grocery store that I need to make (German potato salad - yum). And rhubarb - YUM - I had a plot in a community garden last year and had my first rhubarb - can't wait to one day have a garden again and grow it.

laurie - Fiji and Italy - I'm salivating! I can't wait til the day I get to see both. I can't be poor forever, right?! LOL!

Did I mention on this thread that part of the inspiration that got me committed was my BF gets his yoga teaching certification next month. We discovered two companies that give yoga teachers working vactions. For the price of a plane ticket and about $300 a week BOTH of us get to enjoy fully inclusive accommodations, drinks, food and activities at all these tropical resorts (one is even in Curacao!) in exchange for him teaching a yoga class three times a day. For like 45 minutes at a time. Is that great or what? Well I decided when that day comes (at least a year for now), I have to be a "fit" companion for the "fitness" instructor!

I know German potato salad isn't mediterranean either BUT I figure it's an attitude, sometimes, right???? :rofl: I guess I can't completely give up my German background. Love my beer and brats too much!

Bobble - http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1643,154189-252195,00.html

Just call it a Greek salad...and you won't be off by far...are you putting bacon in it? There's some really good uncured turkey bacon at Whole Foods. If you can make it through the store without buying anything else, that would be a feat and would show tremendous discipline!

Georgia

I think of a Mediterranean diet as more than having just a Greek or Italian influence. I think any flavors or spices can be included, as long as you're keeping your meat content low, have a significant amount of fats come from plant products, and eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.

Geo, you sound like such an awesome person to know! Cooking AND tailoring? Super cool. :) I'll fix your computer if you'll tailor my clothes!

Speaking of rhubarb, I made four different rhubarb products today. I made a rhubarb syrup, balsamic rhubarb compote, spicy rhubarb sauce, and a rhubarb chutney. Two of the four had sugar substitutes in them, but two did not. It was really rewarding to make so many products out of something (rhubarb) that I did virtually nothing to get! (I have a plant that grows in my yard)

I had a pasta dish made out of chicken sausage, peppers, onions, mushrooms, hot peppers and leftover salsa for lunch. Was a spicy, nummy comfort food on a chilly and overcast day.

For exercise (if you can call it that), my friend and I walked up to the local park and went on the swings ... he likes to do that while he "vents" about his boyfriend. It's been a content day.

Geo - that looks like a great potato salad. I'll have to try it. And I love turkey bacon - I think we've had that very one you are talking about. Thank you for the reminder. Had I read this before, as....

We did go to Whole Foods today...came home with a baby loaf of bread (the .99 cents ones are such a deal), $5.00 worth of delicacies from the olive bar, a yummy smelly new cheese we haven't tried, a bottle of merlot and um, yes, a fancy decorated cupcake (to split). Should have gone for the splitting the pistachio cannolli...but I had a 5 year old moment! Also having some Pacific creamy tomato soup with a bit of parmesean.

And going to watch a documentary about an "American Prankster" named Alan Able. I love date night!

hyacinth - I know the very feeling you are talking about with the rhubarb - last year I loved how I stayed in basil, other herbs, marigolds, squashes and eggplants all summer long. Never got bored making new things with the same ingredients (and I'd have other little things come and go along the way. It felt so ABUNDANT. I so look forward to having a garden again. The community plot was nice because everything was paid for. I paid $25.00 for the year and the water, compost, dirt, tools and all was just there for the using. Pretty awesome. Only thing was I had to drive to it daily. This year we are going to be gone five weeks and I wouldn't have been able to get anyone to water for me. So, decided not to do it. Kind of missing it - well missing it A LOT!

I'm exploring beans for summertime fare. I like cold bean salads, tossing cannellini beans with fresh parsley, sliced red onions and garden tomatoes. If I want a little more protein, I'll add some tuna fillets and dress it all with olive oil and lemon.

One of my favorite snacks is Portuguese sardines packed in olive oil. They have them at Trader Joe's. So yummy on Wasa high fiber crackers with a squeeze of lemon juice. The sardines also taste good with cold lentil salad in lettuce cups.

Throughout the summer, I don't like to get the oven started at all, so I'll try to make salads out of most anything. A really diverse salad full of beans, greens, other veggies and maybe some fish, combined with some whole grain crackers, that's a dinner I'm happy to "cook" when it's hot outside.

One thing I've been having lately is chilled low-sodium chicken broth. I don't know why, but I like it, with a little lemon. I seem to like everything with lemon.

Georgia

PS) Hyacinth, thank you for the computer-fixing offer. What do you do with computers? Because I always seem to be attached to mine, and I'm constantly fussing with it. (If you read what I have under my name, that I'm a Renaissance woman, that means I have made multiple attempts to "find myself" and have learned all sorts of skills in the process. That qualifies me to be just one thing, a writer.)

Oh, I have a blog about my weight loss journey that I've been writing, sporadically, over the last year or so. You can find it at http://half-the-woman.blogspot.com/.

Bobblefrog - That community garden sounds like a GREAT deal. I rent, but I planted here anyway (with landlord's approval), knowing I will be moving out at the end of August. I could end up leaving some good stuff behind, but maybe the new renters will enjoy it.

I love documentaries! I looked up the one you referenced ... was it good?

Oh yeah -- another great dip for vegetables is baba ganouj (eggplant dip). It's easy to make and really delicious!

Geo - I do database-y kinda stuff now, but I used to work on a help desk (for about six months). I still tinker with computers. Someone always seems to need something fixed, or I'm tweaking my own system.

Regarding beans ... I used to always use canned beans, figuring it's so much easier than dried. But recently, I started reconstituting dried beans, and wow, what a big difference! They're so much better.

Breakfast today was supposed to be an omelet of Canadian bacon, bell peppers, and a little cheese, but it ended up being a scrambled-egg mess stuffed into a tortilla. I can NOT make an omelet for the life of me.

I'm still thinking about Geo's spanakopita. I never thought of it as a breakfast food, but I might try that. I also never thought about making it by hand.

Spanakopita...YUM! Y am I so lazy that I can't seem to order food over the internet? I have to get on that soon!

So, how was everyone's weekend? I did pretty good both food and exercise-wise. Am down a pound as of this morning. I am soooo excited!

Hyacinth: I will have to try that bean thing. I am always in the health food store. And, don't feel bad bout the omelet thing. I have like a 50/ 50 shot every time I make em.

Bobble: YA! I CAN NOT wait until FIJI. I want to hit Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Bora Bora, and Hawaii while I am out there. Its vacation of a lifetime and it will be free (mostly). My DH gets both hotel and air points and we are half way to getting enough for this trip. It really keeps me going when something breaks while he is away or when we are really missing him. It is great to have that perk if we can not have him here most M-F.

Tina, WAD UP, GIRL? Hope you had a great weekend? How was that pizza?

Geo, ur recipes sound AMAZING! Can't wait for more! Nothin better than a lil food porn to start our week!

BTW, thought it might be nice to get to know each other better.

I am 34 and live in NH with my 7yr old daughter and hubs. I own a small business selling ink and media for large format printing (signs mostly). I work from home and that gives me time to drop and pick up the little one and spend time with her (which I LOVE). I have an awesome group of girlfriends that are just like family. I am super close to my mum and we live about 4 miles apart (she is the reason I live in NH and not somewhere warm). I would like to lose about 50 lbs. I am 175 now and really should be 125. I have a really hard time losing and weight just clings to be forever no matter how hard I work....GRRR! I am a MOH at a wedding in 15 months so am hoping to lose it all by then. I am happy with a slow and steady loss. Pizza is my favorite food and it is prolly why I have these extra pounds. I just can NOT live without it. So, I am trying to make new things, develop new tastes, eat better and exercise at least 45min a day average (sometimes more, sometimes less). How about you guys?

While I didn't do any actual exercise this weekend, I was way less sedentary than I usually am on weekends. I spent a lot of time moving around. I was gardening and cleaning out my garage, which involved moving boxes and packing and unloading my car with boxes of clutter that got dropped off at the local thrift store.

Laurie, check out this pizza-crust post in the Whole Foods forum: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173602

And actually, I encourage everyone here to check out the Whole Foods forum. Most of the ideas and topics over there are in line with Med-style diets.

INTRO: I am a 39-y-o single female. I'm a mother of an 18-year-old who is currently living halfway across the nation, exercising his newly acquired independence. I have a sedentary technology job, and I work from home about half time. I live in the midwest. While I've been happily single for many years, and assumed I'd have many more happily single years, I recently met a guy who changed all that. I never thought a relationship could be SO easy! So I'm starting to get used to words like "marriage", "husband", and "living together".

My hobbies include technology, gardening, travel, and thrift-store/antique shopping. My current antique quest is vintage scarves (Vera are my favorite).

I am looking to lose a ton of weight, about 139 pounds to be exact. This is my highest weight ever, and I'm very sedentary and out of shape. I've lost 80 pounds before, but it was done in an obsessive and unhealthy manner. I want to do it differently this time.

Wow! I miss reading in the forums for a couple days and I have tons to catch up on!!

First off, tried 2 new recipes and both were great!

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81058

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72865


As far as all the other convos going on, I'll have to catch up on them later, my hubby and I need to go to the store...BUT I'll be sure to check in tomorrow and reply to all. Have fun!

If you omit the phyllo and add more eggs, spanokopita becomes a lovely spinach frittata...

I came across something over the weekend that watermelon has some property to it that facilitates weight loss. I wish I saved that link! But as a result of reading that, I bought some watermelons and have been eating that for a day or so. And then I found a recipe for agua fresca, which is basically pureed fruit with water, sugar and lime juice. Can be made with melon, mango, pineapple...when I lived in Indonesia they made it with star fruit (YUM!) Anyway, I'm going to make it with watermelon, seltzer and lime juice, but no sugar. I may add some fresh mint too. I'll let you know how it tastes.

My brief bio: We've firmly established my Greekness. I'm a first generation daughter of immigrants. I'm unusually tall for a Greek woman, as well as more fair, but have dark brown hair and gray/green eyes. I'm a writer at heart and am back at school (again) studying digital media and writing, but I've come dangerously close to several other degrees over the last 30 years. (I am plagued with ADD).

I have two wonderful sons (17 and almost 12), and I'm in the process of getting divorced from a man exploring his mid-life stupidity. I live in Central California in a small town a couple hours east of San Francisco. I just moved back here to care for my aging and ailing parents. For the last 11 years, I've lived in Indonesia, Kuwait and Kazakhstan and have traveled a lot. I'm struggling with getting my head back into suburban American life, which is very different from living in developing countries. I think I'm going to need therapy!

Georgia

Alright, a little bio about me...hmmm....My name is Tina and I'm a 27 year old music teacher at an elementary school in Indiana. I've been teacher for 4 years and feel like I might finally be getting the hang of things. I've been married 2 years in July, and have two adorable, bratty, spoiled-rotten kitties, Charlie and Sammie. No kids yet, but we plan on have some in the future. In my free time I enjoy scrapbooking, hanging out with friends, and going to the movies.

As far as food goes, I love it all...hence my weight problem! BUT I have been trying new Mediterranean recipes and actually cooking rather than buying fast food for the last few weeks. I find that I truly enjoy the strong tastes in these recipes and hope to find a lifestyle change through my new eating habits.

I joined a gym in November with high hopes of running a 1/2 marathon with some teacher friends in May and failed to train enough to do it. I was in a rut, felt horrible about myself and stopped going to the gym. However, the last month of school I found a Sonoma Diet book and really thought this might be able to work for me. I've been going back to the gym and have even convinced my husband to join with me! We both have been struggling with weight but hope to finally use this summer to shed some pounds:)

Hyacinth and bobblefrog: So jealous of your gardening skills! I actually have a house with a lot of yard space (it's a corner lot) but have no clue on how to garden! I'm afraid I'd kill it all:( Keep up the good work!

geoblewis: I'm in awe of 2 things- your Greekness and your life history! You sound like you've done so many wonderful things and been so many places!! Will your oldest son be going to college? If so, good luck with all that, I feel lucky to have emerged with a degree I'm actually using:)

laurie2275: Fiji?! So jealous! Take advantage of the perks while you still can. It looks like we have similar goals as far as weight wise, I hope we make it there together! I do have a pretty high goal of loosing 20 lbs. this summer, but we'll see how that works out. I've been on track the last 2 days eating and exercising so we'll see if I lose weight this Friday (that's when I weigh in). How's Alli working out for you?

**********

Phew, so long, sorry! Hope everyone is enjoying Tuesday:)

Hi Everyone!

Had a pretty hectic day between work and bringing my Gram to her dr. appt. We are all worried about her. She is 86 and has lost another 3 lbs (down to 92). She has no appetite and doesn't want to eat. It really doesn't help that she LOVES manhattans and has 2 a night! She is so tiny. Whenever I say anything about it, she says, " Well, you could afford to lose a few"...DUH!. Even her dr. is worried and put her on a prescription drink supplement. I hope it helps. My mum is worried too! Lets hope it works!

So, Alli is going OK. I have not had any of the "treatments" that they talk about. I am mostly using it as a deterrent NOT to eat those high fat foods. I think that part is for sure working. When we went out to dinner, I ordered a grilled chicken taco salad when I normally order a fried chimi. So in that part, it works! Weight-wise I have not seen a loss but like I said, that it not my main reason for taking it. I am also allowing myself full fat and reduced fat cheese instead of fat free. YAY!

Other than that, working out every day at least an hr. LOTS of cardio. Eating fairly well. Much better that I used to. I have been on this "diet" or really lifestyle change for a month tomorrow and have lost 8lbs.

Talk to ya all later! Wishing you all well!

Hi Everyone!

Had a pretty hectic day between work and bringing my Gram to her dr. appt. We are all worried about her. She is 86 and has lost another 3 lbs (down to 92). She has no appetite and doesn't want to eat. It really doesn't help that she LOVES manhattans and has 2 a night! She is so tiny. Whenever I say anything about it, she says, " Well, you could afford to lose a few"...DUH!. Even her dr. is worried and put her on a prescription drink supplement. I hope it helps. My mum is worried too! Lets hope it works!

So, Alli is going OK. I have not had any of the "treatments" that they talk about. I am mostly using it as a deterrent NOT to eat those high fat foods. I think that part is for sure working. When we went out to dinner, I ordered a grilled chicken taco salad when I normally order a fried chimi. So in that part, it works! Weight-wise I have not seen a loss but like I said, that it not my main reason for taking it. I am also allowing myself full fat and reduced fat cheese instead of fat free. YAY!

Other than that, working out every day at least an hr. LOTS of cardio. Eating fairly well. Much better that I used to. I have been on this "diet" or really lifestyle change for a month tomorrow and have lost 8lbs.

Talk to ya all later! Wishing you all well!

I hope things with your Gram improve. It's hard watching someone you love stop taking care of themselves. Hopefully the drink supplement will work. Keep us posted.

Congrats on loosing this month! I only hope I can stick with my exercise and eating better. I think I'll make that Greek Pizza again tonight...yummy!

MMMM...Greek Pizza!!!

So, T, are you outta school yet? My dd is in until the end of June (snow days!!!!). I bet you are looking forward to the summer. I have a few teacher friends and most of them get summer jobs also (but fun). What do you do with your glorious summer?

I will keep everyone posted about Gram. It is very hard to watch but at the same time, I really do not blame her. She buried my grandfather when I was 19 and met a nice man friend but he passed about 4 yrs ago. Most of her close relatives have passed. I just believe that you get to a place where everything that really mattered is gone. I know that I do not want to live long enough that I lose my train of thought, husband, children, etc.

Well, ladies, I am enjoying a vodka and waist watchers citrus frost and I am gonna have to get back to it.

Talk to you soon, everyone!!

Geo, I've used frozen watermelon cubes and mint in a yogurt smoothie before, too. Very good!

My best friend lives in Santa Cruz!

Laurie, Gram needs a marijuana prescription. It'll help her eat!

Tina, I've heard that at the 4-year mark, you do get the hang of teaching and it becomes easier from then on. Probably because you have a cycle established, and you've developed curriculum and know the routine. Personally, I didn't make it past the student-teaching phase. :o

MMMM...Greek Pizza!!!

So, T, are you outta school yet? My dd is in until the end of June (snow days!!!!). I bet you are looking forward to the summer. I have a few teacher friends and most of them get summer jobs also (but fun). What do you do with your glorious summer?


YES! I'm out for the summer, this was my first full week off...so glad! Don't get me wrong I love teaching, but I need a break from kids:) To be honest my only goals this summer are to visit the gym daily and eat better. I want to devote my whole summer to getting healthier and learning how to maintain that. I did apply for some summer jobs, but I doubt in this economy that I'll get hired for 2 1/2 months. It's all good though, my scrapbooking bug will probably bite sometime next week when I get bored of channel surfing, reading and chillin' with my hubby.


Tina, I've heard that at the 4-year mark, you do get the hang of teaching and it becomes easier from then on. Probably because you have a cycle established, and you've developed curriculum and know the routine. Personally, I didn't make it past the student-teaching phase. :o

Oh I hope it's true! Didn't like student teaching, eh? Well, I know from working with some of the teachers at my school that it isn't for everyone, and that's ok! Kids should have teachers that like their job:)

********

Well, I'm off to the gym in a few...not sure what to make for dinner...

Hyacinth: I had to laugh at your suggestion! My gram is the most straight-laced lady you would ever meet. The woman still wears white gloves...GLOVES! I think she might actually keel over at the THOUGHT!

Tina, Scrapbooking? UGH! I dont know how you have the patience. I have tried SEVERAL times. I still have a drawer full of stuff. I just get so frustrated cutting pieces of paper and gluing. I used this online scrapbook software that worked ok. I envy you though. Bet you have some cool books!

So, anyone else here a reader? I am an AVID reader. I got through spurts where I read a book in a day and then I read one over a week or so. Right now I am reading Rhett Butler's People. It is the whole Gone with the Wind saga from Rhett's perspective. Its kinda slow but OK. I have a few more that I am looking forward to once I am finished.

So,
This week I:
Worked out an hour each day
Maintained 1200-1300 cals per day
No Diet Coke since my Banning it!
Lost 2 lbs! Woot!

Hope everyone else is doing fantastic!

Tina, Scrapbooking? UGH! I dont know how you have the patience. I have tried SEVERAL times. I still have a drawer full of stuff. I just get so frustrated cutting pieces of paper and gluing. I used this online scrapbook software that worked ok. I envy you though. Bet you have some cool books!

So, anyone else here a reader? I am an AVID reader. I got through spurts where I read a book in a day and then I read one over a week or so. Right now I am reading Rhett Butler's People. It is the whole Gone with the Wind saga from Rhett's perspective. Its kinda slow but OK. I have a few more that I am looking forward to once I am finished.


Haha, well, I have to admit my scrapping bug comes and goes. Plus I have about 8-9 books started and only 2 finished! I'm so bad about actually getting them done. I made one for my parents (200 pics of their trip to Europe, so jealous!)as a Christmas present but needed to finish about 6 more pages and to this day its not finished! I hope to have it done by the end of the month, it's their 390th anniversary...I had no idea how big it was going to be, or how expensive. I've probably put $300 into it...yikes!

I do enjoy reading, but I've been in a rutt lately. I can't pick up anything that interests me. I DO love GwtW though, so I may try this Rhett Butler book if you think it's worth it. Last summer I ready 4 Jane Austens...I was a hopeless romantic all vacation, haha.

I wish I had time to read for recreation. But I'm busy with school and familial entanglements, so for now, I just buy books to read in the future. I'm always open to suggestions, but more recently I feel like working my way through the classics. Although its very probable that I'll get bored along the way and will have to start reading Darkly Dreaming Dexter.

Here's a zucchini recipe that I've always loved...

When you've forgotten to pick you zucchini for a few days and find some have grown to longer lengths, like around 7" or more (but not too big), trim the ends then slice them lengthwise into 1/4" slices. Dredge them in whole wheat flour seasoned with salt and pepper, then brush them with olive oil. Broil them on each side until golden.

Georgia

Ack, oops, went AWOL there for a few days. I LOVED reading everyone's bio. Definitely the sort of women I'd love to get together with to have a glass of wine or cup of coffee!

Lets see, me: I'm Dawn and I'm 42. I think I've managed to make it through my mid-life stupidity (that's a great term Geoblewis!). Didn't do too much damage - actually came out okay - just a lot of crying for the last years it seemed. I scored my BF and am finally committing to taking care of myself (for the first time in my life). I guess the word is accountability! LOL.

Currently living in Denver. My BF and are not planning to be married but we think of ourselves as life partners I guess. Two furbabies - one dog, one cat. Matching black and white although that wasn't planned! Never have been married or had kids. Admittedly never the maternal type. My BF is a psychic reader and is about to get his yoga teaching certificate as I mentioned so that is an exciting shift of careers for him. My mother and I run a company that helps businesses build and maintain dynamic their own websites - the official term for what we provide is web content management solutions (WCMS). Been doing that for almost 12 years now (started as a graphic design firm).

Trying to get my BF moved back to the east coast where I own an old house with my mom. Miss her dreadfully! So I am a wee bit jealous of you Laurie. My dream is to have enough money in a few years to let someone else run the business and I can purse a master's certificate in herbalism and natural medicine - things like homeopathy and energy work. Mostly my side of the bed is stacked with books like that although I do love a good cozy once in awhile!

I adore this thread - always gets me salivating for healthy things to eat!

Laurie - may I make a suggestion (with your doctor's approval and if you aren't already)? You might consider both probiotics and enzymes for your Gran? As we get older we our digestion process becomes less efficient and we don't absorb the nutrients we once did. It should be a fairly safe and inexpensive thing to add to her routine. Just a thought (my great grandmother died of malnutrition - turns out a lot of older people do - even though they are eating). I know I loved my grandparents dearly and miss them so fiercely, so best of wishes for your Gran's continued health AND happiness!

Bobble:I will ask her dr. next time we go in. We are supposed to head in before we go to FL. I am willing to try anything. We had her supplement with Ensure but she didn't like it and would often refuse. I was thinking that since my mum gets home around 6-ish and mostly has issues with her eating an evening meal, that I could feed her earlier. She is used to being able to have a few manhattans at dinner time (she starts at 4) and since she is now so small, she really shouldn't have them (or as many-usually 2 or 3). Our dilemma is that she is 86 and we feel like she should have these drinks if she wants them. Plus, we are talking WW3 if we say NO BOOZE! Either way, I could care less as long as she is healthy. I really want her to eat. I went over at 5 on Friday and made her eat a half a lobster salad sandwich and a few chips but I had to FORCE her. I dunno. But thanks so much for the suggestion I really would love to see something work!

I saw that you started as a graphic designer. I work in that industry...I sell ink and media for large format printing and my husband works teaching people to use grand format printers. He is a VERY talented graphic designer and travels the world helping graphics shops. What I like about him? He can photoshop my pics to make me look thinner...LOL!

So, ur BF is going to be a yoga instructor. How great! Must be nice to have all that help working out at home. Plus the flexibility can't be that bad;)

Georgia: I am def. gonna have to try that zucchini recipe. I am have a few plants and usually just bake bread. This sounds soooo much healthier!
BTW, I think you mentioned that your family owned a vineyard. I think that is just so awesome. As I mentioned before, I owned a wine shop for 3 yrs or so. I focused my shop on affordable wines to enjoy or collect. NH is green concerning all things wine but I did pretty well introducing people here to varietals from around the world. My favorites were the people coming in liking the sweetest wine or yucky white zin and after many tastings have them start buying Malbecs, Zins, Valpos, even Cabs...Uh...I could just cry it was so amazing! I just couldn't take the hours of a retail shop and HAD to sell out.
So, not to pry but, going through divorce AND dieting...must be hard. I hope you have some good friends around to sit and bit@h with.

Also, you're a writer! I am sooooo jealous! I have tried and failed writing a book soooo many times. I probably have 6 or 7 that I am 50 or more pages into and then for whatever reason I get to a place where I lose interest or cant seem to figure out where it is going and I stop. I stop. save. and hope that something clicks and I can go back and finish it. What do you plan on writing? I mostly do these chick lit type books. My lastest venture is Bridget Jones Diary-esque..about a girl writing in a diary about losing weight and trial and tribulations of all that...Don't worry I am not using 3FCs for inspiration...I have enough of that on my rear end.

Tina: Holy Beegeezus! $300.00??!!! I hope they LOOVE it!!! That's worse than the books I had apple bind from iphoto. Hope your weekend is rockin'! AND, I hope you were able to get that workout done. I HATE working out at night. I always feel too ramped up after...I usually like to get it done before 8am so that I know it's done and I don't have to think about it anymore. My husband likes to workout at night though. So, bad news is we NEVER get to workout together!:(

So, Any of you watch True Blood? I read all of the Sookie Stackhouse novels and am SOOOOO psyched for Season 2. Soo Good!

Well, I am off...hope you all have a SMASHING weekend!!!!!

Workout Song of the Day: Connected by Stereo MC

Dawn, first of all, thank you for sharing your name. Where the heck does Bobblefrog come from? My ID is just my whole name blended into one word, Georgia B Lewis (that's my maiden name, that I will finally get back when it's all officially over).

Laurie, it's okay to pry about my current challenges. I do need more girlfriends to hash over things. Divorce and dieting...some days it's really, really difficult. I stopped drinking alcohol (except for when my girlfriend comes over every three months), and since getting straight with my relationship with food, it just doesn't do it for me any longer (I actually eat when I'm hungry most of the time). I've shifted to watching a lot more TV, or I clean obsessively, or I'm online. Never been one who doesn't feel like eating when I'm upset.

As for the vineyard, owning one is nothing like watching Keanu Reeves in A Walk in the Clouds. It's hard work! But wine-making at home is fun. My hometown used to be famous for their Tokay grapes, which were used for color and sweetness, but now all those vineyards are gone and have been replaced with zinfandel (we're the zin capital of the world, I hear). My town is also featured in a Creedence Clearwater Revival song. Can you guess where I live?

Laurie, if you love writing, just keep doing it. I don't have anything of import published, but I'm working on several books all at the same time, as I am inspired. Real life is the best thing to start on, because it's what you know the best. My first book is about a woman in mid-life putting her life back together after a divorce. I started it five years ago, well before I knew where I'd be going with it. And it changes direction as I learn more about myself. I had to stop writing it for a couple of years because I really didn't know where I was going, but I took lots of notes along the way. Take a class on writing and don't worry about if you're good or brilliant. Just have fun with it and see what you can produce.

Georgia

Georgia, You know I have thought about going to either a writing class or working with one of the writer's groups locally. I think maybe having other people read my work would help me break through my writers block. I am VERY nervous at the thought though. I can imagine people reading it and thinking it is so amateur that it's not worth their time. I belong to 2 book clubs and we always talk about writing there also plus I really gravitate to creative people and have a few friends that are professional writers and a few who are aspiring authors (like me). I DO need to keep it up and not give up so easily. You are totally right!

I totally get where you live and LOVE soooo many wines from Lodi (I LOVE ZIN)! I have enough wine makers to realize that many of them consider themselves nothing more than a combo of scientists and farmers. It is a very tough gig. You just have to have sooo many components right starting with the location. NH has a few "vineyards" and I would always get pressure to carry their products. I just could get around carrying something for the novelty effect. Most of it is fruit-infused and tastes quite a bit like wine coolers. I THINK, because of our climate, that we should have more vineyards on our lakes and streams and plant reisling. It has not happened ye but I am sure will at some point. We have a short growing season, lots of minerality to the soil, and very brisk falls...I dunno, all that says German wines to me.

It sucks that you do not have more people to sit and talk with. It sounds to me like you have such a rich history with your husband and have produced some good kids. My parents divorced just after I graduated college. It was so tough for a long time. I still have a very strained relationship with my father. It is just a terrible, terrible thing and my heart goes out to you. I think you must be a very strong woman to take on that and losing weight at the same time. My hat is off to you, girl!

Hope everyone else has a great Sunday Night! Later, folks!

Just a quick check-in before the weekend is over -

Laurie - I wonder if your Gran would tell you if eating gave her - well, digestive problems? You know. All those uncomfortable things we don't talk about in public? Just another thought based on what you have told us about her. If she's having any kind of "repercussions" from eating that might make her more likely to avoid food. I hear you about the Manhattans. I'd feel exactly the same. I mean how do we want to be treated during the final decade of our life - I hope not like a two year old! I hope my quality of life is well-balanced with the quantity. I'll choose the former over the latter any day :-)

Amazing what photoshop can do isn't it?????? I did a little design for awhile but my contractors are where the talent is at. I'm best at matching the clients to the designer and then getting the heck out of the way. I keep my hand in it now and again - but know my limits. I take my hat off to your husband!

geoblewis - ah, Bobblefrog. He's a real bobbleheaded frog that lives on the dashboard (of several cars and an RV now). Sort of an extension of Peace Frog. Very wise and very patient - or at least that's what he reminds me to strive for. We have family friends who have a very small vineyard in CA - I'll have to get some more info on that.

Asian tonight - the BF makes awesome sushi. Saving the stinky cheese and olives for Tuesday night. Tomorrow is crab cakes and corn on the cob. I didn't know you could just bake them, unshucked, in the oven! Sounds like my kind of simple cooking!!!! And watched the first episode of Kingdom on Hulu. I love Stephen Fry. Love british tv. Then did a little drumming. Good therapy for what ails you. No weight loss this week but didn't really expect it. Sigh. But can always hope despite having a so-so week.

And now it's after 11! Way past time for this girl to put herself to bed. Goodnight all -

I made ceviche for the first time last night, and I had to share the recipe with you. It was very fresh-tasting, practically non-fat and very low carb. Shellfish Watermelon Ceviche (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Shellfish-Watermelon-Ceviche-108332).

Georgia

Aww, wish I liked watermelon, geoblewis:(

On a good note, I had to practically drag myself to the gym tonight...Didn't want to go...but I made it! Too bad I ate a ton of air popped popcorn when I got home! I spray some Can't Believe It's not Butter Spray and then sprinkle on some parm cheese...so tasty...I just ate too much of it...ahh well. Hopefully tomorrow's workout will come easier. I'm trying weights...

Laurie, sorry, I've never seen True Blood. I may have to see if I can find some episodes online. The commercials always looked interesting:)

Oh, Tina, you gotta watch! It is soooo good....but even as good as it is, the books are better. They are the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. Soooo good! Book 3 was my favorite and the latest have been a little repetitive but it is still a great series. More like an adult version of Twilight. There are some similarities and my friend thought that these books might have been the inspiration for the teen books.

Still working out like a fiend. I am really into it as a routine and mostly finish before 8. I am loving how full of energy I am!! Have been pretty good on diet but have 2 things over the weekend that might sabotage me. Every yr. my family hits Rib Fest. Lets just say its a LOT of ribs, beer, bands, and bounce houses. Fun for the whole family, really. This yr. we are going with 3 other families (who are our closest friends) and it will be a BLAST. However, I am not sure that I can even find a salad in this place. I am going to try to limit the ribs and beer and have a big ole cold salad...we shall see! PLUS Friday night is my girl's night and we are going over to my friend, Sarah's mansion...yup I have some yuppie *** friends...to have martinis and....CAKE. Martinis is usual but the cake is for a birthday. Now, I am not super fond of cake BUT I am also not super fond of drinking martinis on an empty stomach and am a bit worried what I might find there for eats. I am going to try to again have a huge salad before I go and maybe some bread. I hope that it works to JUST SAY NO to CAKE!

Well, have a great day y'all!

Oh, Tina, you gotta watch! It is soooo good....but even as good as it is, the books are better. They are the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. Soooo good! Book 3 was my favorite and the latest have been a little repetitive but it is still a great series. More like an adult version of Twilight. There are some similarities and my friend thought that these books might have been the inspiration for the teen books.


Haha, alright, then maybe I'll check out the books, they usually are better:)

I've been addicted to Olive Garden salad....I've eaten it twice this week! Get it to go and ask for extra veggies (it's free!)...$5.63 I think, and it usually lasts me two meals.

Other than that I'm going to have some roast pork chops in garlic, quinoa, and that broccoli, red peppers, and goat cheese recipe for dinner...delish!

I LOVE OG SALAD!! I didn't think it was great for you but after lookin at the cals..ITS NOT BAD!!! Good for you, Tina and GREAT IDEA. I have a OG like 2 miles from me...Not a bad idea for lunches. I went out for lunch with my bro..to Applebees and got a WW meal and THEN had Lobstah and Chardonnay for dinner....sooooo good. I brushed with lite butter rather than soaking it in the stuff like I normally would. I dont think I was soooooo bad...

Just checked my cals for the day...too low! Not good! I was still only 900 for the day! I have to stop that!

Sigh. Not sticking to plan again here. And not exercising. Mostly have my head into work. It seems I obsess over one thing at a time. That's all my little brain can hold! The cerviche recipe looked good - very summertime. I'm not a fan of scallops but I bet it could be modified....? Don't expect to lose this week but if I hold steady I'll be happy. I did once again start counting calories today (I missed a couple of days again!). Starting to pack to get ready for our trip back East. Did I mention I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

Georgia, Dawn and Tina (and any of you who are thinking of joining---jump in we dont bite...much)

Gonna be a busy weekend. We are going to Rib Fest with a bunch of friends. The martini party got canceled cuz people had too many conflicts. So, Bella had one of her friends over for a sleepover. That plus tomorrow and Sunday being Father's Day might mean I will not be able to make it on much this weekend! I just wanted to let everyone know what I am thinking of you and wishing you all well!

Talk to you girls!!!

Laurie

Georgia, Dawn and Tina (and any of you who are thinking of joining---jump in we dont bite...much)

Gonna be a busy weekend. We are going to Rib Fest with a bunch of friends. The martini party got canceled cuz people had too many conflicts. So, Bella had one of her friends over for a sleepover. That plus tomorrow and Sunday being Father's Day might mean I will not be able to make it on much this weekend! I just wanted to let everyone know what I am thinking of you and wishing you all well!

Talk to you girls!!!

Laurie

Aww, how sweet! Thanks for letting us know. Sorry about your party, but on a good note you'll probably eat better (after the ribs, of course!):) Have fun!

Having a tough weekend here. Am eating on plan, but still no exercise, and I'm really feeling miserable because of it now. But I have more homework to finish this week for my second class, and lots of papers to write on myth and literature.

Mom's cooking today, so there will be lots of veggies and chicken and rice...my dad's current favorites. The zucchini are really starting to put out, so I'm sure we'll have lots of that. Mom also stuffs the zucchini blossoms with ground turkey and rice. Dad can't seem to get enough of those!

Georgia

Hi all!!!!

OMG! I had a really bad eating weekend! Yesterday, I prolly had a half rack of ribs and at least 5 beers. It was over the course of 6 hours or so it it was sooooooo hot and muggy there! After, we had some of the couples over our house and ordered pizza for dinner. I had 2 pieces! I was thinking I didn't have as much of the fat because I did take the alli. I also walked a lot and got my workout in before we left.

Today was Father's day as you all know! I made my husband a big omelet for my husband and we hung out for a bit before dropping off my daughter with my mum for a bit to take him to see "The Hangover" (laughed sooooooo hard!!!!!!!). We got Bella and went to a new sushi place Mark wanted to go. It was soooo good. I had probably had to full rolls and a little Szechuan Beef.
I am skipping dinner cuz we ate so late so just eating once today might help for yesterday's debauchery. I did workout today even though I REALLY didn't want to! So even though I probably GAINED, I had a great time with friends and still got in my workouts!

Georgia: So sorry you are having a bad weekend. I can imagine. I hope that you have a great day with your parents! You will get through this! I am sure! Good Luck on the homework!

Tina: How are things going? How was your weekend? Better than your week I hope! Let me know how things are going!!!!!!

Dawn: Where are you going "back east"? I live in NH!! It is a great time to visit New England but MAN! Are we getting rained on...So much for April showers!!! I am sure you will get back into things! Sometimes when things get too hectic it is really hard to stay on plan. Don't give up!!! Push through this! Good Luck!

Well, hope to talk to everyone this week. It is Bella's last week of school! I will be packing and getting ready for our trip to FL after. Lots to do but I am sure to be on here quite a bit!

Hi all!!!!

OMG! I had a really bad eating weekend! Yesterday, I prolly had a half rack of ribs and at least 5 beers. It was over the course of 6 hours or so it it was sooooooo hot and muggy there! After, we had some of the couples over our house and ordered pizza for dinner. I had 2 pieces! I was thinking I didn't have as much of the fat because I did take the alli. I also walked a lot and got my workout in before we left.

Today was Father's day as you all know! I made my husband a big omelet for my husband and we hung out for a bit before dropping off my daughter with my mum for a bit to take him to see "The Hangover" (laughed sooooooo hard!!!!!!!). We got Bella and went to a new sushi place Mark wanted to go. It was soooo good. I had probably had to full rolls and a little Szechuan Beef.
I am skipping dinner cuz we ate so late so just eating once today might help for yesterday's debauchery. I did workout today even though I REALLY didn't want to! So even though I probably GAINED, I had a great time with friends and still got in my workouts!

Georgia: So sorry you are having a bad weekend. I can imagine. I hope that you have a great day with your parents! You will get through this! I am sure! Good Luck on the homework!

Tina: How are things going? How was your weekend? Better than your week I hope! Let me know how things are going!!!!!!

Dawn: Where are you going "back east"? I live in NH!! It is a great time to visit New England but MAN! Are we getting rained on...So much for April showers!!! I am sure you will get back into things! Sometimes when things get too hectic it is really hard to stay on plan. Don't give up!!! Push through this! Good Luck!

Well, hope to talk to everyone this week. It is Bella's last week of school! I will be packing and getting ready for our trip to FL after. Lots to do but I am sure to be on here quite a bit!

Wow! It sounds like your Father's Day was a blast! I'm actually doing a lot better, thanks:) I think after a tiff me and my hubby had a few days ago he's been working at it more and even seemed to miss me after I've been in Ohio with my parents for a few days (it was their 30th wedding anniversary and my man couldn't make it because of work). I saw the movie "The Proposal" with some gal friends and it was hysterical! Cheesy yes, predictable yes, but I really needed a good laugh and it was great ot just go out with the girls. The family time was needed, so seeing my parents and my siblings all staying in the same house again for a few days was really a comfort. My bro is actually staying with me in Indiana now, but still, it's been a while since all 5 of us were together. We are addicted to a board game called Settlers of Cataan (BUY IT!!!! It's old, you'll have to go to a comic store or buy it online) but it's sooooo competitive and we love it. I wond twice, wahoo! Anyway, saw some old pics of me from my bachlorette party 28 pounds ago and it really got me motivated to keep trying and get back on track. I looked good, haha.

Anyway, hope everyone s doing well!

My mother's garden has been really producing this week, so we're scrambling to get my sons to eat some of the veggies. I got creative last night and made stuffed bell peppers, and the boys really loved them!

I used extra-lean ground turkey, shredded zucchini and Japanese eggplant, onion, garlic and chopped fresh tomatoes. I also included whole wheat couscous and seasoned it all with salt, pepper and Greek oregano. Then I topped them with crumbled feta and mizithra cheeses. Mizithra is a hard Greek sheep or goat cheese, similar in nature to Parmesan, but with a tangier flavor.

So after the boys finished eating, I let them know about the zucchini and eggplant. My older son said he knew "something" was in there, and the younger one said, "Is there any more?"

Georgia

My mother's garden has been really producing this week, so we're scrambling to get my sons to eat some of the veggies. I got creative last night and made stuffed bell peppers, and the boys really loved them!

I used extra-lean ground turkey, shredded zucchini and Japanese eggplant, onion, garlic and chopped fresh tomatoes. I also included whole wheat couscous and seasoned it all with salt, pepper and Greek oregano. Then I topped them with crumbled feta and mizithra cheeses. Mizithra is a hard Greek sheep or goat cheese, similar in nature to Parmesan, but with a tangier flavor.

So after the boys finished eating, I let them know about the zucchini and eggplant. My older son said he knew "something" was in there, and the younger one said, "Is there any more?"

Georgia

That sounds so good............send some my way, haha.

I didn't really choose any brand name diet, but I think that the closest they come to the way I am now eating is the Med diet. I have been doing it without any meat though. No turkey, chicken, seafood. I rarely eat bread also. I usually eat vegetables and rice or pasta, and a bit of cheese--

Georgia, Tina, and Dawn,


I am so sorry I have not been around. I have been staying on plan eating and getting a serious amount of exercise. I am just on vacation in FL and took some time to get internet here! I finally have it but am so busy with all the running and biking and swimming, I have not been able to keep up with my emails, etc. I hope you are all doing fabu and have not left forever!!!! Miss you guys!!!! I will be back in town Aug. 1st. I promise,promise to be back faithfully posting when I get back!!!

Paging Tina!!!!! Where r u, girl?

I finally bought The Mediterranean Diet and Sonoma Diet books (used) on amazon today! I'm excited. I don't ever have a shortage of recipe ideas, but I feel like I'd benefit from having a few resources to access on a regular basis.

It's somewhat easy to be "Mediterranean" at this time of year, when everything is in season. I wonder what winter is going to be like??

Today, I made a lentil/bean/rice dish for lunch (and for work lunches this week), and I had a tuna-curry salad in a pita for dinner (tuna, mayo/yogurt, curry powder, celery, raisins, almonds).

For fresh produce, I have a mediocre peach and a mediocre nectarine (you know how they get kind of mealy textured? ick). I'm going to cut them up and freeze them for smoothies. I stopped at a farmer's stand and got some fresh cucumber, tomatoes, and corn. I have celery and carrots as well.

As usual, my level of exercise is low, but I'm going to commit to going for a walk before this Sunday evening is up.

I hope everybody is doing well!

Paging Tina!!!!! Where r u, girl?

Haha, I'm here!!!! Sorry, haven't been on this site in a while.....

I finally bought The Mediterranean Diet and Sonoma Diet books (used) on amazon today! I'm excited. I don't ever have a shortage of recipe ideas, but I feel like I'd benefit from having a few resources to access on a regular basis.

It's somewhat easy to be "Mediterranean" at this time of year, when everything is in season. I wonder what winter is going to be like??

Today, I made a lentil/bean/rice dish for lunch (and for work lunches this week), and I had a tuna-curry salad in a pita for dinner (tuna, mayo/yogurt, curry powder, celery, raisins, almonds).

For fresh produce, I have a mediocre peach and a mediocre nectarine (you know how they get kind of mealy textured? ick). I'm going to cut them up and freeze them for smoothies. I stopped at a farmer's stand and got some fresh cucumber, tomatoes, and corn. I have celery and carrots as well.

As usual, my level of exercise is low, but I'm going to commit to going for a walk before this Sunday evening is up.

I hope everybody is doing well!

Oooo, all those fresh veggies are making me hungry, haha. I'm always intimidated about stopping at a farmers stand, not sure why! I'm sure I'll have to try it one of these days. Oh, and about the peaches, I totally know what you mean, it's so hard to find a good one!!