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!!!!

3rd Weigh In!

June 29th:
More motivation! This is what a pound of fat looks like. This visit to the clinic I have lost 4.2 of these and another 3.5 inches. Puts things into perspective doesn't it!? Go me!

Motivation

June 27th:

Good morning! I'm learning this morning that my motivation must be intrinsic at times, not only from the numbers on the scale and results. Although these things are important, I cannot solely rely on them to keep me going. I will be strong for me. I WILL reach my goals. Period. I cast out the spirit of defeat. 3 more pounds and I am 50% there. Thanks for all of your encouragement...I got this!

Dairy Free Ice Cream!!!

June 25: I discovered this dessert this weekend and it's good! I just saw on the website that they have a sugar free kind. The original ones are sweetened with agave so they are still "sugar/sugar substitute" free. I wanted the almond milk ice cream instead of the coconut milk one but the store didn't carry it. It has the texture of a frozen mousse.

July 5th Update: I do not LOVE it, but it is worth a try! I would love to find the Almond milk kind, I think I would enjoy it more.

http://www.turtlemountain.com/products/coconut-milk-ice-creams/vanilla-bean

Crab Legs!!!

I LOVE crab legs, I swear I could eat them everyday!

But since I stopped eating butter I have had to find another way to flavor them so I don't want to dip them in the melted garlicky sauce.

So I thought, while I was at Joe's Crab Shack I don't need or want to dip them. Why? Because they are so well seasoned. My favorite seasoning is their Backyard BBQ, its smoky, spicy and a little sweet, so I replicated it!

I took:

Old Bay seasoning
Paprika
Truvia
Ground Cayenne Pepper
Garlic Powder

Mix the ingredients together to taste. I lick it garlicky and spicy and a little smoky-sweet.

Steam your crab legs and take them out and while they are piping hot, douse with seasoning. Layer legs with seasoning and be sure to cover the bodies where the meat is. ENJOY!!!

As for the cabbage, (not pictures)
 I take raw, fresh cabbage.
Chop it roughly
Cover pan with water
Add cabbage
Add sea salt
Add red pepper flakes
Add garlic powder
Add Mrs. Dash
Let cook down about 20 minutes until soft. YUM!

The dreaded PLATEAU!

On June 21 I weighed in and hadn't lost any weight...It was a horrible feeling and I got nervous. But not to worry, I know they said it would pass, but when you reach here..and you WILL, do NOT quite, I promise that it will pass!

June 22:


Oh no! I have plateaued!!!! In weight loss this is dreaded... I am nowhere near my goal. Praying my metabolism jump start or something!!!! *calls clinic*

June 23:

I talked to the clinic: I had nothing but APPLES all day yesterday. And chicken skewers for dinner. NOTHING else. I will break this plateau. I will NOT quit...I will NOT give up!

June 24:
Yes! Thank God for blessing me and seeing this through. Persistence and dedication has paid off. After an "apple day" Friday and eating the right things yesterday, I have lost the extra water weight plus a few pounds and BROKEN MY PLATEAU! Bringing my current weight loss to 21.1 pounds in 28 days. All things are possible with God...the devil is a whole liar. My Creator has something better for me!

FAIL!

Ok Ok....

I have failed to keep my blog updated...so I will do so now!