I've ordered from that Omaha website once before when they had a special going. But when I looked at their regular prices I found them to be much more expensive that what I usually pay.
FYI, you can cook any frozen veggie in the microwave (or fresh ones for that matter) in a covered dish with a little water added, just like the steam fresh ones. The only difference is the packaging and marketing, but if you look on the package there are microwave instructions too for the regular (cheap) ones.

But looking at alll the issues you have to deal with, limited budget, no beans, don't like tuna or veggies except broccoli, don't like yogurt, don't have much control over the type of food you are eating, I would have to say that I agree that South Beach will probably not work for you, since you will not really be able to follow the plan or you will be stuck with a very limited selection of foods. In your situation calorie counting might work, since the amount of food you put in your mouth IS something you can control, and you can exercise along with it. This may work to help you lose some weight, but be aware that it is not the healthiest option. You should still try to choose the healthiest, most nutrition-dense foods whenever possible. Maybe in the future when you have more control over your diet, you can give SB another try.

Do you have a farmer's market anywhere nearby? Here, there is a huge one and I get veggies and seafood there super cheap. The selection they have is AMAZING. They also sell nuts and nut butter super cheap.

Originally Posted by grneyedmustang:
Do you have a farmer's market anywhere nearby? Here, there is a huge one and I get veggies and seafood there super cheap. The selection they have is AMAZING. They also sell nuts and nut butter super cheap.

Is it called farmers market? I can look it up but I don't think we have one.. We just have Stop N Shop, Big Y, Stew Leonards, Costco, and Shoprite nearby, no discounted stores for food.

Originally Posted by JellyBean32882:
Is it called farmers market? I can look it up but I don't think we have one.. We just have Stop N Shop, Big Y, Stew Leonards, Costco, and Shoprite nearby, no discounted stores for food.

I'm not sure if any of these are close to you, but if you do a search in google with the words "farmers market connecticut" some results come up.

the farmers market isn't a discount food market.....it is a place usually on a saturday/sunday (some places have them all week long) that the farmers sell their harvest.....there are different booths and each farmer has its own stuff to sell and they are usually great prices and very fresh...can't do any better than that. Sometimes they sell preserves and other food items along with fresh picked fruit and veggies.

Originally Posted by greeneyes490:
the farmers market isn't a discount food market.....it is a place usually on a saturday/sunday (some places have them all week long) that the farmers sell their harvest.....there are different booths and each farmer has its own stuff to sell and they are usually great prices and very fresh...can't do any better than that. Sometimes they sell preserves and other food items along with fresh picked fruit and veggies.

Good to know, and thanks! I don't believe there is one near me yet, but I'll keep a lookout.

Another question, if you don't have much time for cooking can you just eat what's on the phase 1 allowed list? I gave my mother the list and if she buys the food can I just pick out my own meal plan and still be on the diet that way? Like if my mom gets salmon can't I just cook it without all the added stuff? What is recommended to have each day.. how much of protein, fat, ect??

The menus in the book are only suggestions......I have not followed any of the plans in the book because alot of the food I didn't like.....you don't have to follow any of the menus if you don't want to.....basically make sure you have about 4 1/2 cups of veggies a day (1/2 cup w/ breakfast, 2 cups with lunch and 2 cups with dinner) and make sure to add in dairy, protein, beans etc.....

Originally Posted by greeneyes490:
The menus in the book are only suggestions......I have not followed any of the plans in the book because alot of the food I didn't like.....you don't have to follow any of the menus if you don't want to.....basically make sure you have about 4 1/2 cups of veggies a day (1/2 cup w/ breakfast, 2 cups with lunch and 2 cups with dinner) and make sure to add in dairy, protein, beans etc.....

My mom surprisingly bought quite a bit from the phase 1 food list i gave her from the book. She got some dairy, some protein stuff, and we already had veggies, so have those.. I had her get some decaffeinated green tea bags and white tea bags too so I can drink more of that w/splenda and not drink too much of the diet soda. She said she spent over $200 just for mostly the stuff for me, she said she's not doing this every week since she's on a budget, and she shops bargains..

soda is usually not a bargain....just saying.

Have you read the book? I suggest checking it out from the library if you haven't...it has a lot of good info on the diet.

Originally Posted by zeffryn:
soda is usually not a bargain....just saying.

Have you read the book? I suggest checking it out from the library if you haven't...it has a lot of good info on the diet.

I have the new book, lol

Well, my mom usually gets whatever diet soda is on sale, but I only really drink coca cola vanilla zero, other than that it's green tea.

what I was getting at was...cut the coke, have more money for healthy stuff.

I highly recommend spaghetti squash in place of spaghetti. I can post how to prepare it if it isn't on here some where (I am run by posting, atm, so no time to search!). Even my 4 year old eats it without question, and he's VERY picky. Throw some ground turkey in the sauce and Voila! Phase 1 friendly meal. :)

Originally Posted by greeneyes490:
the farmers market isn't a discount food market.....it is a place usually on a saturday/sunday (some places have them all week long) that the farmers sell their harvest.....there are different booths and each farmer has its own stuff to sell and they are usually great prices and very fresh...can't do any better than that. Sometimes they sell preserves and other food items along with fresh picked fruit and veggies.

Good idea! I always forget this. All the big towns here in North Jersey have a farmer's market one day a week - including mine! I cringe at veggie prices, but I should check out the market. It's been two years since I went. I always forget it exists. :o

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit:
I highly recommend spaghetti squash in place of spaghetti. I can post how to prepare it if it isn't on here some where (I am run by posting, atm, so no time to search!). Even my 4 year old eats it without question, and he's VERY picky. Throw some ground turkey in the sauce and Voila! Phase 1 friendly meal. :)

Ya please do post the spaghetti squash, would be interesting to try out.

I'm trying the diet starting tomorrow for a week and see how it goes, if I don't feel hungry and I lose weight and have more control my mother may buy for me every week, who knows. This means I would have to end the Friday Night takeout night at McDonalds :( but oh well.

and if you don't lose a ton of weight in a week?

This isn't something that you can just do for a week or two, quit for a month and then start again for a week or two...it takes commitment.

and honestly, even if you weren't on this diet....I hope you would end the McDonald's trip....it's horrible for you.