Yes you are absolutely right. It's called baba ghanoush. I've been making my own for years and DH refers to it as Hummus that I actually forgot...:o However, since Chick peas are not allowed this is actually a great substitute and fabulous for a pot luck!

I'm so sorry - I didn't realize that you weren't allowed hummus.

Roasting Cauliflower is a terrific way to enjoy it! I use a little cooking spray and salt and then into the toaster over for 15 minutes...it's fabulous!

Good luck and keep at it! :)

I tried the spinach in a shake today!! I put one cup in the blender with a vanilla drink package, water, some ice and just one drop of mint extract. I could not taste the spinach at all so I added a second cup of spinach and still drank it down to problem it was very filling too.

I had never been a fan of cucumber but it was a very easy veg so I decided to give it a second chance I cut it into spears and shake just a little sea salt on them and now its my favorite snack.

On days when I am more hungry (usually right before TOM) I will eat my restricted in two parts so it feels like I am having more, this works especially well with the zippers.

A typical day for me is crispy cereal for breakfast, dill pickle zippers and a salad for lunch (cucumbers, red & yellow peppers and lettuce with a dressing made from half white vinegar half EVOO) then for supper it could be steak, chicken, pork or salmon with stir fried veggies (peppers, mushrooms, some times zucchini) or steamed broccoli and/or cauliflower.

I have a shake either around 4 in the afternoon if I'm working and having a late dinner, or around 8 or 9 if I'm off and can have dinner earlier.

It took me a long time to not want to cheat. Hang in there it will get better/easier. I feel great and I'm having so much fun shopping at the "regular size" stores... it makes it all worthwhile


Good Luck!!!:hug:

Hey there! Saw your message from an earlier thread...

I started IP the second week of march and hit my goal on May 18th! I started IP having lost 10 pounds on my own over a year ago. I am currently entering my second week of Phase 2!

You're early into the program, so give yourself some time.

There is no reason to get bored. Every week, try a new vegetable, a new IP packet, a new recipe or a new spice. Add fresh parsley or cilantro or basil to all kinds of stuff. There are tons of recipes specific to using IP packets.

Remember, there is still alot you can do with the stuff we are allowed to have. One thing IP forced me to do was get back into cooking from scratch. Ironic, considering we eat packets everyday, but...you are forming long term habits and tastes that will serve you well the rest of your life. Even when you phase off IP, you'll need to eat carefully, or you'll end up right back where you started, so embrace this and be creative!

Good luck and never give up!

I know that this isn't really IP-ish, but there are a few alternative companies out there that sell VERY similar products and it can help change it up a bit, they even have a candy bar that is a -mazing, restricted but an awesome treat to have once and a while. The thing to remember is, ONCE in a while, not TWICE, I sometimes forget the not twice part because it's so good.

I just want to say: you look FANTASTIC!!! Feels good at goal I bet!!

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...x-finland.html

Check out this thread.

Seems like you have been given some great suggestions :) I really hit the boredom point as well for me what has helped the most was : Kale Chips when I need something salty or just an easy veggie to get in (I actually do a lot of kale because its so easy and non-veggie to eat) ... Love the mugcake recipe that is on here using the chocolate drink - felt like a cheat and honestly broke up my routine quite a bit ... and the cauliflower "fried rice" is SO YUMMY - and you can get all 4 cups of your veggies that way easily I throw in whatever stir fry type veggies I have and left over chicken - yummy and easy ( much easier than it seems it would be). Those 3 are my go to foods when I feel I am all saladed out lol!

Thank you! It's taking a little while for my brain to catch up to what my body looks like- but I'm starting to get there. I feel fantastic!

You do look awesome! My brain has definitely not caught up with me...I still see the same old me...hopefully it will come around soon :)

Thanks everyone
I have honestly never tried Kale … not sure I even know what it looks like, lol!
When I was making my stirfry for supper I kept thinking how badly I wanted some rice - will absolutely try the cauliflower fried rice :)
I keep meaning to ask this - what are we allowed to use to cook with, i.e. PAM or whatever?

Ha that is great and so true. :cool:

Hang in there! When I started to see my pants big on me I actually started liking what I was seeing in the mirror... A little bit ;). Totally helps me stay motivated. You are worth it :hug:

I had never tried Kale before starting IP either ... to be honest the first time I bought it I had to ask the guy in the produce department where it was ... fortunately there was a band around it that said 'kale' on it because I never would have believed him even after he showed me. It sort of looks like huge overgrown parsley. As far as I was told Pam is fine ... I use the olive oil but I have heard some use the butter flavored sprays (I assume they are all 0/0/0 but haven't really looked into it too much). You can always use a bit of your olive oil that you need anyway - thats what I do.

I know some folks use Pam, I usually just stick to spray EVOO. Just a little Kale Chip recipe blurb....I find that the bunch of kale vs. the bagged chopped kale is best, it's easier to tear the leaves off the rib. Also a favorite flavor of mine is to lightly drizzle & toss the kale in WF Spicy BBQ and then sprinkle with fajita seasoning (or salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc). Make sure you leaves are washed and dried thoroughly before baking them (I do mine at 350 for 15-20 minutes).

ETA: I'd never tried Kale before IP either! Now I LOVE my kale chips - unfortunately so does my husband, I try to keep his grubby mitts off MY food when I can!!!