I just bought the book yesterday and thought I could go shopping and start the diet today. I started making a list and it got longer and longer. Have you actually done what is says for wave 1 and cooked those recipes each day. I am overwhelmed. I do WW online and have not been losing weight. I think I got bored with it and bought this book as a motivation. I really think that all the recipes sound great and love to eat all those things. However, I do not know whether to follow each day by the letter. I have not read the whole book because I wanted to get started. Also, after reading your posts, I see that you are all losing weight on Sonoma. Should I cancel WW online since it is so expensive and I don't seem to be using it anyway? Thanks ahead of time for all of your help.

Hi and WELCOME to 3FC. I can't say anything personally about the Sonoma book because I haven't read it. I think is like like South Beach though from what I understand... but don't hold me to that.

As for WW online. I have been a member on and off for over a year! I personally feel that online membership don't work. Often on the message boards you get jokesters. The tools were very cool. But as for losing weight... I never did. I never did in there meetings either. But... this is me. My metabolism is dead. Anyway, I cancelled WW online last night. It is much to expensive when your not having success with it. If you decide you want to go back to it again later.... give it a little time and they will offer you to rejoin for only the monthly fees.

Good luck either way. Sorry I couldn't help with the Sonoma Diet.

Welcome to the Sonoma forum.. lots of good food on this plan, that's for sure.

You do not have to follow the meal plans given in the book.. they are only a suggestion. You can always use the pull out cards in the book that list the things you can eat on Wave 1 to make your own menus. We also have lots of Wave specific recipes in the Sonoma recipe forum at the top of the main Sonoma page.

I cannot comment on WW since I've never done the plan. Might be a good idea to post that question in one of the WW forums here at 3fc since you'll get a lot off WWers to reply.

I am on Day 7 of Wave 1 and I had an expensive first shopping trip! But it was less on the second one, since I had alot of the nonperishables like vineger, oil, and nuts. I would suggest buying dried herbs and spices, and maybe getting a generic 'italian' spice mix that has oregeno, thyme, dill, etc. so you won't have to buy too many.

I also omit things I don't really think will matter that much, like capers.

I also suggest following the meal plans in the beginning to make sure you are sticking to the portions (that is the hard part!). The food is really good, and you are guaranteed not to get bored quickly with yet another chicken salad.

I am not a fan of diets (I have only followed one eating plan before...Strong Women Stay Slim) but this past week has been amazing. I have eaten new delicious food and actually started paying attention to my food as I eat it. I also lost 8 pounds in 7 days. I drink 3 liters a day and I lift weights, so I know it isn't water weight or lean tissue. I say go ahead and buy the food, because it is worth it!!

I picked several of the recipes that appealed to me and then just got the hang of it - you can have salads and chicken or fish, get some rubs or spices. I look at the array of vegetables and buy what is appealing and on sale and then mix and match. It's not hard to get the idea and go through meals you enjoy and modify them slightly - leave out the potatoes or starches and increase the vegies - and eat Sonoma-style.

Hi! I'm just starting week nine and am thrilled with this new way of life! The Sonoma Diet offers a whole new way of thinking compared to WW. I tried that a few years ago and was just obsessed with calculating points and figuring out what I could and couldn't eat. I am finding the SD much more enjoyable.

My tip is to make sure you have the stuff to make the Sonoma Wrap or Greek Chicken Salad with White Beans. Both are wonderful, easy to make and make great quick meals. Also try the vegetable recipies. They are very good and can be reheated for easy veggies on another day.

Good luck!

I followed Wave 1 meal plans almost exactly because I really needed to get my portions under control. It was a lot of work at first, preparing something for lunch and dinner. But I loved, loved, loved everything I was eating and that to me was worth it.

Now that I've been on the Sonoma Diet for a while, I have streamlined many meals. Like Shrinking Mama, I always keep stuff on hand to make wraps and salads for lunch. I pre-cook 3 or 4 chicken breasts at a time so I always have cooked chicken for a quick meal. For lunch, I typically stuff chicken, mixed salad greens, some kind of vegetable, and hummus into a whole wheat pita. Yummy! I usually have cereal for breakfast on weekdays (quick). I flagged recipes in the book that are quick and my family especially likes so we re-visit them for dinner on weeknights. Many things I used to cook are Sonoma-friendly or I make minor modifications. Once you get the portions and food lists down, it's really easy.

I cannot comment on WW because I've never done it. But I heartily recommend the Sonoma Diet because of its emphasis on real, whole food and proper balancing. Good luck!

Well I am ready to give this diet a whril myself. Sounds like the girls on here think its pretty good. So I will go out and buy the book today and get the groceries to get started. Not having fruit for the first 10 days will be tough though. I like fruit! So let me know how your doing. I want to join a forum on here. ANy ideas?

I read all your posts and bought the book yesterday. I am excited about this plan. It sounds so easy. I maked the pattern on paper plates so that I can use those as a "template". Hah! I am on my way. This may be the answer I've been looking for. It sounds so much like the way I looked at a meal plan in the past. I get tired of weighing, measuring, calculating, etc. yuk! Maybe I am lazy ah oh. Anyway, it is full speed ahead. I already read 30 pages and headed in that direction right now. Keep the posts coming people--love ya.
Carol

I thought this sounded like a great plan since, well, I already use olive oil. I love bell peppers and buy lots of whole grains. My biggest challenge is portion control and treats. I really liked this more than South Beach. I read South Beach and thought...there is no way I can do phase one. I am a ceral or carb breakfast eater. I am on day 7, phase 1. I haven't followed it to the letter so I might try a repeat. (Almonds are my favorite nut annd a great snack. I have been trying it for about the past two weeks and here is what I found.

1.make your own crudite..it staves off the I'm starving and can't wait for dinner prep munchies. I had bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, blanched green beans and blanched snow peas.

2. The asian chicken salad from McDonalds is really good and pretty Sonoma Friendly

3. Frozen shrimp is the best time saver. They take 10 minutes to defrost and 5 minutes to cook

4. Don't forget the chicken broth. Use it to toss with your pasta, steam your veggies, and deglaze the pan for a lowfat sauce

5. Try a parsley garnish..it really brightens the flavor of pasta, meat and salad.

6. Making your own viegarette is really easy and tastes better. I have about 5 vinegars to mix with the EVOO: blasamic, champagne, herbed, rasberry and orange. I just toss my greens with EVOO, vinegar and salt and pepper

Good luck all.

I am really confused about this diet?
GRRR...

What are you confused about?

this seems like it is really expensive to follow.... I am starting tomorrow...so I think I should be able to put it together

I don't think it is too expensive, if you shop smart.

1. Buy the freshest looking product in season, it is cheaper!
2. Buy stuff in bulk when possible: look for grains and spices in bulk. This is a lot cheaper, and makes it easy to get a good variety of stuff (long grain rice, short grain rice, basmati, lentils, different types of beans, and the crazy international spices)
3. The first shopping trip is the most expensive. You stock up on the oils, vinegars and nuts. You'll find that sometimes stores like whole foods and trader joes are cheaper for these things. For a very basic olive oil, go to cost plus. It is well priced. Canola oil is typically really cheap and readily available.
4. Remember the regular grocery store rips you of for whole grains and nuts. You are better off at the health food store, oldly enough.
5. Oddly to say, Barilla Plus is cheapest at walmart. Don't be afraid to shop in unconventional stores to find stuff. Do you live near an ethnic market or chinatown? This is a great source of Sonoma friendly bargains. Also look out for produce stands and farmer's markets.
6. Use canned beans! You can make homemade hummus easily or perfect side dishes to replace your starchy side.
7. Jazz up your dishes with Salsa, Chimichurri, Hummus, Tahini or Harissa

After that, everything else is stuff you are typically buying already.

Quick and easy meals:
stir fry
salad
sauteed vegtables
baked/roasted/grilled meats
wraps

Looking for more recipes? Look at Cooking Light, Self Dishes, Gourmet, Everyday Food or Cooks Illustrated.

Don't be afraid to look around the Meditteranean for food ideas. I know everyone is thinking Spain, Italy and Greece. Don't overlook France, Turkey, Morocco, Jordan and the rest of North Africa and the Middle East.

Nobody's perfcet. The Sonoma Diet offers gret suggestions on how to live forever. One day you'll have pizza, chips, cookies or fast food. Jump back on the wagon for your next meal!

Good luck! You can do it! Just think...eat more vegtables and keep you plate balanced in portion and color. Once your meals look like this you'll be on your way! Even if you don't hit your target weight, you will reduce your cholesterol, trans fat intake, saturated fat intake and increase you antioxidant and fiber intake. All around what is recommended for healthy living!

I think I'll actually be spending less on this, when you consider no more swerving into drive-thru's on the way home, no more pints of HagenDaz in one sitting, etc. I agree Trader Joes is the best place for buying olive oil, salsas, etc. Costco's tough to beat for bags of nuts. Grains are in the bulk food section at lots of regular supermarkets, like Freddie's and Winco.