Actually, the list says that tomatoes cannot be cooked. namaste is correct. When foods are cooked, their chemical structure changes. Most veggies can be cooked without it changing their structure too much but it still does. Tomatoes are affected the most though with the release of bad (atleast on this program) sugars. Also, when we cook our other veggies, we shouldn't be cooking them until they are moosh. Broccoli is a great example of this because it's easy to cook those until moosh. If you cook veggies too much, they lose a lot their good benefits and you are left with more of the bad (again, atleast on this diet) components of the veggie.

[QUOTE=ford4life69;2719242]that's kinda where i'm thinking but i'm also considering taking it into the center and just asking them. that's what i did with the chili mix i used. i'm just afraid of being told no because i REALLY wanna try it! *sigh* i've had carrots in salads off and on the whole program, some you just don't see to pick out and other times i was so hungry i said forget it and ate everything they put in the bowl. that hasn't caused any gain but it probably caused a slow down overall. *shrug*


Yes, it may just slow you down and then again it may not do anything. I have added up my cals since being on the green menu and it is very low cal. So I don't think a little calorie boast now and then will hurt, it will probably help get your metabolism revved up. Like I said before, I love the program, but I think that the chemical balance stuff is BS. You could always try it and see how your body reacts. Let me know how it goes, cause I have been missing pasta sauce like crazy.

Welcome!! I made the spaghetti and freezed it together with the sauce in individual portions. It works great and is fast on days when I'm in a hurry. I just grab it out of the freezer and reheat in the microwave. You could keep it frozen for a few months with no problem. I also did that with the lasagna recipe in the cookbook (the one without the HNS).

You're doing great....keep it up!

I've missed you, Bonnie!! Stay strong and don't let anything stop you from getting to your goal! You can do it and you'll feel wonderful when you do!

It's ok. I've missed quite a few times and haven't noticed any difference. I think you would have to miss a few days to see an affect. Stuff stays in your system long after you take it so once in a while won't hurt.

I don't understand the whole "cooking brings out the sugar" thing either. My favorite lasagne recipe in the MRC cookbook tells you to simmer your tomato sauce for hours. My Mom asked at our center if that was ok and they said as long as it's in the cookbook its approved. Confusing...

I agree about that...how the cookbook has things in it that seem completely contradictory to the program. I made the Breakfast Casserole last week (SO YUMMY!) and with the eggs, ground turkey and cheese, it comes out to equaling 7 oz of protein in one serving (the dish serves 4 so I just took the totals used of each ingredient and divided by 4). I asked the ladies at my center and they said something along the lines of the chemical balance of these combined ingredients have been proven to be OP even though it's more than you think you should be eating. Uhhhh OKAY! If I can eat more food and it still being OP, I'm okay with that! But nonetheless...CONFUSING!

Hello all...I have posted this request on a couple of different threads, haven't really heard back yet, so I will try on this thread, and hopefully, somone might have some insight...

I have been trying to find over the counter substitutes for Phenatrim, MRC6,Corti-trim (maybe Cortislim?), and the internal cleanser...

Anyone have any luck with finding these?

Thanks!

Jo-Ann

My answer my not be much help but I think the Phenatrim, MRC6 and Corti-Trim (and maybe even the internal cleanser) are pretty much impossible to find exact versions in regular stores. You may be able to find substitutes but they probably won't work as well if you are looking to follow the program to a T. I believe these are pretty much MRC-only things. However, lots of the other herbs/vitamins, like fish oil, multi-vitamins, flax caps, B-6 and B-12 are all pretty easy to find in any store.

I make the same lasagna and freeze it all the time. It works really well when you are in a pinch for lunches. I will have to do the same with the spaghetti squash.

It is water weight. I find that it goes on quickly overnight, but I usually only lose 0.5 pound per day with it coming off.

Welcome...glad to see you here.

Bonnie...you can do this. I am glad your counselor was supportive, but held you accountable. I think we all need that sometimes. I am still waiting to cry my tears of joy for you...now I am just going to hold them until I see the 198!!

You'll be fine. I don't take anything except the flax and multivitamin and I am still losing regularly.

From what I understand.... The reason why you shouldn’t cook tomatoes is because it changes the glycemic index, putting them into a higher sugar class. The sugar structure actually changes under heat. This causes them to “caramelize” and literally turn into a higher sugar level.

In terms of the onions, I believe that you should only be eating green onions. The others are higher in sugar (raw or cooked).

Check it out. I guess it depends on what info you get from your center.

Hi Noasmama,
I too forget my pills with meals. I usually just take them when I get home if forgotten and try to squeeze in last ones at bedtime. I know it's not how it's intended but I figure it's better then never! I agree with keepinon on this one. It will be fine.

Welcome Silverfox,
I've had the same issue with the spaghetti squash and have not tried freezing it yet but that sounds like a good plan. I've tried the lasagna recipe using the HNS and didn't really like it but it was tolerable. It's good to hear the other might be tasty so I'll have to try it out. I did freeze the leftovers from this once in little "tupperware" containers, did well, I think it actually improved the texture/consistency. Let us know how it goes.

Hey Bonnie,
I'm glad you're back! I've been thinking about this and it's probably a good thing you had that stumble b/c it sounds like it really woke you up. As Namaste has said to others, look back on your list or reasons why you're on this plan and let that remind you why you can and will get to onderland and make it to your goal. You can do this

Yogurt and grapes sound wonderful, it's nice to know what we have to look forward to

There's a thread on here for MRC alternatives that you might want to check. I believe you can actually find Phentraslim (I think that's what it's called online). They definitely have talked about a close alternative to MRC6 on that thread I'm talking about. Cortitrim is the same as Cortislim and internal cleanser.... you would just want to go find a good daily colon cleanser. If you take something with physillium husk in it, that's pretty good. If I see the alternative thread I'll bump it for you.

I don't use the tomato HNS; I could never get used to it. I just add a lot of seasonings. Try making the lasagna without the HNS and see if you like it better. Mrs Dash even has a good tomato basil seasoning that is nice. I tend to put a little water in with my meat when I cook it with the seasonings, and it get's more of a creamy texture.... not perfect but definitely not that tomato HNS stuff.

I agree Bonnie.... get that freedom list going and you'll get there. Maybe you're reasons have changed from when you started. Re-assess that. See if you have some new things that you'd like to look forward to. Also, where were you the last time you were at your current weight? Go back there and take a hard look at that. You might have a road block there (mentally) and just need to process it.

I had wanted to try the Sloppy Buffy's out of the cookbook for dinner tomorrow night, but it requires a HNS tomato supplement. From what I'm reading from most of you, I dont' know if I'll like that supplement. Is it that bad? I thought I was a picky eater and I don't want to waste a pound of ground bison if it's not going to taste good, ya know? Anyone have any suggestions/alternatives? Does anyone else fix sloppy 'joes'?

I'm out of chicken (already) this week and would like to try some ground bison. The recipe really sounds good. Plus, my center was out of the tomato supplement so I don't have it even if I wanted it.

I also thoguht about making taco salad w/the bison. I bought the reduced sodium ortega taco seasoning. Can we have that? I read on here about the 100-calorie pack of Doritoes but I couldn't find it at our Wal-Mart. All I have on hand are the Taco flavored Doritoes and I'm assuming those probably won't work.

Yes, you should hang in there if you can. Over 6 weeks they add in additional foods to your menu. It's still very restrictive but they watch you to see how your body is affected by the extra carbs, etc. They also reduce the amount of HNS you have a day. I'm down to having up to 2 a day for snacks and that's it so that helps with cost. I've heard too many people on this forum say that this is their second time on the diet because they quit before stabilization and maintenance and gained all the weight back. I definitely don't want to do that so I'm sticking it out. I'm still losing too so that's an extra incentive

They usually start you on stabilization about 6 lbs. from your goal so you don't have too much farther to go! The foods they add in over the 6 weeks are still very limited but after being on the green menu so long, they are still delicious. Just to give you an idea, they add in a carb 3 times a week at lunch the 1st week. Some choices from the list were 8 animal crackers, 1/2 C. cooked pasta, 5 saltine crackers. I know....real exciting, huh? I never thought I would look forward to eating a plain old saltine cracker! The second week you get fruit (some different choices like grapes, etc.) at breakfast 3 times a week. The 3rd week you get dairy every morning at breakfast and the 4th week is a carb every day at lunch and a new veggie 2 times a week at dinner (which includes corn, carrots, etc.). I'll try to remember to let you know what I get added this week when I weigh in on Friday. Hope that answers all your questions. I'm the type that likes to know what's up ahead too.

That sounds great! I really miss yogurt!