Hi! I'm Elie.

I've been reading this forum for the past few days and finally gathered up enough courage to join and post!

I've tried the SBD once before and I actually really liked it, but I only lasted for five days. I started on a Monday and since I went to an amusement park on that weekend, I figured it would be too difficult to stick to it. So I completely failed!

But I' am going to give it another try!
I just got out of a relationship and I am really down about it, so I really want to do this for myself. I can't say that I am overweight (although I might be at the high end for the weight range for my age and height group), but I just want to be healthy.

I have a question...
I really want to go eat sushi tonight!!!
I ususally eat sashimi (raw fish w/o the rice) so that won't be much of a problem. Do any of you know if the pickled ginger and wasabi paste is okay for phase I?

You guys are all just so great, all your posts are always so encouraging and informative. I am really looking foward to sticking to the SBD this time for the long run!

Welcome, Elie!

I've been doing some research on the ingredients in pickled ginger as in wasabi. Pickled ginger contains sugar. I would not want to eat that in phase 1 and it isn't really allowed in Phase 2 either. I had some wonderful pickled cauliflower today that I made myself that used Splenda but what you are going to find in a restaurant will have sugar.

I haven't been able to find out what the ingredients are in wasabi paste. Wasabi seems like it would be fine but I don't know what they mix in to make it a paste.

It is very important to follow Phase 1 exactly without any cheats.

Hello Elie!

I really know NOTHING about sushi or anything like that, so I can't help you out too much there. I did want to welcome you to the forum, though! We're a pretty fun group of girls, as you have seen from the past few days, and the forum is really supportive. My only advice to you is to stick to it, even if you get stalled during Ph1. I'm extending my Ph1 because I stalled for so long, but it's better to cheat in Ph2 than Ph1, from what I hear. I can't even imagine eating bread or anything right now because I'm so used to Ph1! If you have any questions, I'm sure one (or all) of us will have an answer for you!

Thanx so much Barb!

I'll steer clear of the pickled ginger. I think they just add water to the wasabi to make it a paste, but I will ask to make sure.

Thanx Weezle!

I'm being really strict with myself I know phase I is really important. I hope the strictness sticks. Thanx for the support!

Hi, elie, and welcome to The Beach. I adore sushi too but know I have to avoid the rice and pickled ginger. I wonder if you can make pickled ginger with Splenda. Hmmmmm.

I'm sure you could make pickled ginger with Splenda. My pickled cauliflower/red onions taste great. I pickled some sliced carrots I had in the fridge yesterday and they tasted great too. I've just got to get some pickling cucumbers now. Brian tried the cauliflower yesterday and he said it tastes just like regular pickles to him so once he and DH finish up the sweet relish in the fridge, I'm going to only keep homemade in the house.

Elie, pickled ginger sounds interesting. Are the pieces of ginger sliced or grated? I have some ginger in the fridge right now and am in the mood to experiment.

Hi Ruth!
The sashimi last night was great! I behaved and had no ginger, just wasabi paste and a little soy sauce. The tough part was saying no to my favorite dessert... cheesecake tempura! But I avoided that too.

Barb that is a great idea. The pickled ginger is sliced really thin legth wise. After it's pickled it looks like a lite pinkish coral color and sort of translucent. It has a yummy texture to it sort of like a ham. Let me know if you try it. I am excited to find out if it works!