Does anybody have any interesting ideas about tuna fish?

Curiosity got the better of me this week, and I bought an eggplant! The only problem is that I'm not sure I've ever had eggplant. Any cooking suggestions? I was thinking of slicing and grilling, but someone told me you had to soak them in salt water or they were unpalatable. Anyone know if this is true?
Absolutely! BUT, because it has been so hot and because the kitchen in my condo is sooo tiny and I have to leave my crockpot on the counter, I have been filling the crock with HNS packets and randomly pulling one out for each meal. My crock holds about five boxes worth of packets.
Welcome! It's nice to have you on the board!

It's never too soon to give you my turkey and green beans speech: eat from the WHOLE menu! There are so many great things to eat on plan, and I think we've all found something new that we'd never really tried before. More importantly, it's hard not to get burned out on any nutritional plan when you don't eat a wide variety of foods. I'm glad you've found the recipe thread. Isn't it a gem?
Congrats on making it 31 years! And I'm really proud of you for doing this on your own! I actually think it is easier to stay on plan when left to my own devices far, far away from the center (and my family).

When any of you first started this program, were you really tired? I mean EXHAUSTED? My sister and I started preconditioning on July 15th for 6 days then moved into the "real " part of the program. Since then, we both have been drained for most of the time. My sister called the center today, and they said it is just your body adapting, and it took her (the consultant who took her call) a month of feeling that way too before she had more energy than she ever had. Hope that happens to me! Any one experience this? Mindi

Yes. I was exhausted for the first six weeks after I started this program. My doctor actually prescribed thyroid medicine for me, but I was spooked by the side effects and never started taking it, and now I think it was the "ketosis flu" you may read about. I still take a nap 1-2x a week, but I've never had the highest energy levels, and I do feel much better now than I did before I started the program. Wish I had a remedy for you, but for me it was just a matter of time.

The key phrase is "meal replacement". They're meant to be a meal for breakfast or replace your protein & fruit for lunch. Some people do cut them up in pieces & have a piece or two for a snack occasionally, but no, they aren't an HNS. And if you have one of the bars, you don't have a creamy that day.

That's a new one on me - most of the time when you see advice about exercise they tell you to do it in the morning because it revs up your metabolism for the rest of the day. And that after dinner isn't the best time because (1) you're going to go so long without eating and (2) it can tend to "wake you up" & you might have trouble sleeping.

Overall, I think the best time to exercise is when it works best for you - that's when you're most likely to stick with it. I'd love to hear the thinking behind exercising after dinner, tho.

One thing I like to do with it for lunch - I like tuna salad & usually just like it the way my mom made it - relish, mayo, celery & a hard boiled egg. Not MRC friendly, sadly. BUT, it is MRC friendly if I use either the MRC or Walden Farms ranch dressing in place of the mayo, and put some chopped celery and chopped apple in it, and some of the Mrs. Dash lemon pepper flavor. I also have some Wasabi dressing that falls within the MRC guidelines for fat & carbs, and sometimes I use that if I want to spice it up a little. And every once in a while I'll put some sugar-free pickle relish in it. I shouldn't, but every once in a while....

I didn't, but I've also learned over the years that what makes me really tired is eating too much sugar & starch & then dealing with the blood sugar crash that follows. For others, like yourself, it's probably your body screaming for more sugar & starch because they're such easily converted forms of sugar. Your body has to work a little harder for the energy from what you're eating now, but it'll adjust. It's almost like an addict screaming for a "fix" - but it will pass. Be sure you're drinking all your water - it does seem to help.

I like the white albacore tuna in place of regular tuna, it's tastier and the texture is more meaty. I'm not even sure if plain tuna is on the menu since I tried white albacore I just have not had a taste for the other. I use the fat light mayo in a squeeze bottle, the label falls within the guidelines I do believe. Besides the fact that it is the only way I have ever had tuna. Meemo - Wasabi sauce ? That sounds interesting I'm going to have to try that.

Brainsgirl I was very tired for the first few weeks but it did pass as Meemo said.

dla I'm so sorry for your loss, and you as well Diana

Gina That is a very interesting concept, I am going to go write that on my bathroom mirror !!! Okay maybe not the mirror BUT I am going to really think about it. There could be something to it RIGHT? Someone once told me that I have a rebellious spirit, the problem is I'm rebellious with myself. That doesn't sound very healthy does it?

Thanks so much for the tuna help sweet folks... ya'll are the best...

may06haw Another tuna idea, I really like the tuna patty recipe from the recipe thread. Its basically, tuna, egg white, Mrs. dash and other spices as desired. You mix it up and it makes 2 patties, then you throw it on a skillet sprayed with Pam. I patty if a serving. Anyway, I really like it this way and eat it about once a week

I tried it with dijonaise mixed with just a little splenda - kinda immitated miracle whip - much better than plain tuna i thought. I was really missing condiments - so know i've tried the dijonaise/splenda for honey mustard dip (not a lot) for chicken too.

Haven't checked in much, sorry, weighed in yesterday - down 20!!!! I'm still waiting for the real me to step forward and sabotage this

Have a good one everyone.

Try the liquid minerals - they really do help with energy.

My dad never liked mayo, so he taught me to make tuna with salsa and hot sauce. Now with Denise salsa recipe, I can have it the way I like again. I usually eat tuna about 3 times a week at lunch time. Since we need to eat white tuna - I switched to the Albacore (spelling?). It does have a nice texture. I usually eat it as a salad topping. I've had it twice with the salsa and it was great! The way I was eating it before was as a salad topping with 1 tsp olive oil or safflower oil over the top and a twist of garlic pepper (in the McCormick's grinder), and a smidge of garlic sea salt. It gives it just enough moisture and good flavor.