Next to the last weigh in!

Had my next to the last weigh in today. I have reset my goal per the clinic's suggestion 40 pounds is much more realistic, and I am ok with that. To date I've lost 33.5 pounds in 53 days! And this week I've lost another 5.5 inches! I have another week to go and then I plan to sign up for another 50 day protocol! Pics and final stats to come next week.

Homemade Vitamin Water

Everyone keeps asking since I posted this pic, so here are the recipes:

Cucumber Water

1 quart of water

2 Kirby cucumbers, sliced very thin

1 lime, cut in ½ and sliced thin (optional)

Dill or mint sprigs, or borage flowers

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Pineapple Water

1 quart water

¼ pineapple, sliced into very thin triangular wedges

Spearmint, lemon balm, apple mint or borage or lavender flowers

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Melon Water

1 quart water

2 cups thin triangular wedges of watermelon, honeydew or cantaloupe

1 lime, sliced very thin

Micro, Purple or Thai Basil leaves (optional)

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Berry Water

1 quart water

2 cups raspberries or blackberries

1 orange or lime, cut in ½ and sliced thin

Borage flowers or leaves, sweet mint

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Holy Basil and Rose Water

1 quart water

½ cup Holy Basil (Tulsi) leaves

½ cup rose petals

Splash of organic rose water OR 1 drop of rose oil

I have tried the lemon/lime/orange water, it's SOOOO good, if you want it sweet, just add some Truvia!

Herbs are a rich, whole food source of vitamins and minerals. Your body is able to most effectively recognize and absorb nutrients from food sources. Choose one herb, like peppermint, or blend a few for a unique flavor. Have fun creating different flavors until you find the one that is just perfect for you. If you feel like you can add a squirt of liquid vitamin ( available at health food stores) and or a tsp of powdered or liquid vitamin c

Stuffed Peppers

I cooked 1 pound ground chicken, seasoned REALLY well. (sea salt, garlic, ground pepper, italian seasoning and some other Mccormick spices)
Cut tops off of 4 small/medium green peppers. (Try to get out ALL of the white inside - that is bitter)Add some pasta sauce, I used organic tomato sauce, to the chicken.
Salt and pepper inside of peppers.
Fill with chicken/sauce mixture. you can also add cooked white or brown rice and some fetta cheese. I took that out since I can't have it yet!
Then put peppers upright in pot with lid. Add a little water in the bottom, about 1/2 inch.
Cover.
Place in oven at 350 for 40 min until peppers are soft, but not falling apart!

Shrimp and Strawberry Salad

Happy 4th of July!!!!

I made this yummy salad while relaxing in the A.C. for the holiday.

Shrimp - saute shrimp with sea salt, garlic powder and Mrs. Dash (I've also discovered McCormick's Perfect Pinch on Sicilian and Vegetable - just check ingredients. These 2 have no sugar and use sea salt)
Chop some lettuce.
Slice about 4-5 strawberries.
Pour warm shrimp over lettuce and drop on strawberries.

I then use my own dressing:
I mix Olive Oil, balsamic vinegar, 1-2 pack truvia, sea salt, ground pepper, and garlic powder together. Make it to taste using more vinegar than oil. I make it in batches so I always have some.
Drizzle over salad.
Chop 2 Melba toast for croutons.

Weight Loss Visual Project

July 3rd...

I found this idea on the internet and I loved it. This is my version!

I went to A.C. Moore and bought to small cheap vases, a bag of beach glass/pebbles and 2 packs of letters. The whole thing cost like $5!
I counted out 100 pebbles (one for each pound)
I put 27 in one and marked it POUNDS LOST
I put 73 in the other and marked it POUNDS TO GO.

It's a great visual and I love the feeling of moving the pebbles each time I drop another pound.

This is also a great idea for other things like: money savings, day countdowns (vacation, birthday, holiday), or whatever!

The Aftermath...

July 2:

Monday I wake up to find that I haven't lost an ounce! I don't freak out, it happens. I'm 2.7 pounds away from 30 pounds. I have a great day...

July 3rd...

I gain 2 pounds!!!!
I chalk it up to my Sunday-Fun Day at the festival and begin an Apple Day...all apples, all day, grilled chicken breast for dinner!

The result?:
July 4th...
I lose the 2 extra pounds plus another 8oz, and I am exactly 2 pounds away from 30!!!

Taste of Philadelphia

July 1st:

I wake up great! I weigh in and I am now currently down 25.1 pounds in just 33 days!!! I am really making up for my plateau..but then....

I went to the Taste of Philadelphia Festival. I resisted most horrible temptations but I had:

Shrimp ceviche WITH avocado and a few pita chip
Chicken shishkbob WITH bbq sauce
Frozen lemonade WITH sugar,
Low Fat Frozen yogurt )about 1.3 of a cup...
AND I skimped my water intake.

I pay for this later!!!!