My Second Weight In!!!

Ohhhhh K! I just had a yummy grilled shrimp salad - SO FRESH! I topped it with the homemade almond cheese and it was delicious!

Annnnyyyywaay...

So today was my second weigh in and another successful experience. I was a little nervous because I had a bad day last week when I had a piece of cheddar cheese and 1/2 a big chocolate chip cookie...I simply could resist and after that my weight fluctuated a bit. However after a spoke with the clinician said that that is normal at this point in phase 2. It may go up one day then down, but it should not go up for more than a day or so and should overall be going down. She said she doubted that the cheese and cookie made it happen, not to worry and good job getting back on track. That being said my overall weight and all inches have lessened!

I lost 6.2 pounds since my last weight in 9 days ago, for a total of 18 pounds in 21 days!!!


I also lost inches:
Chest: .25 inch
Waist: .50 inch
Hips: .25 inch
Left Arm: 0 (?)
Right Arm: .25 inch
Left Arm: .50 inch
Right Arm: .75

So overall that's another 3.5 inches lost, for a total of 8 inches in 21 days!!!


I'm loving the way this feels...success is so sweet!

Almond Cheese!!!!

Ok so I reeeaaaally have been missing cheese so I went on a MISSION!

Again I figured, if I can have almond milk, surely I can make cheese along the way, right? So I tracked down a recipe, tweaked it and away I went. It is soooo easy and a great alternative for salads. 

1 C almonds, plain

4 C water

(Truvia and/or Vanilla to flavor the milk - you have to make that first)

Simply blend the almonds with water until the almonds are fine and water is "milky".

Then strain in with a cheese cloth or what I used: a new cheap pair of knee highs! ($.33 @ Walmart)

Add the Truvia and/or vanilla to the "milk" and refrigerate. You can drink this plain or whatever. I plan to use it later to make Ice Cream! *see past blogs for that recipe*

Then take the almond pulp...now if you have a food processor this step will work better....I don't so I blended the almond pulp with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 2-3 small cloves of garlic (don't make it too garlicky, smash up the garlic a little first, especially if you don't have a food processor and you are using a blender) add sea salt...cheese is nutty, and salty!

That's it!

You can also add whatever seasonings to your cheese if you'd like. This cheese comes out soft like a ricotta or feta. It's not EXACTLY the same but it's good and will help with those cheese-cravings on salads! In the blender the cheese comes out slightly grittier, so I plan to buy a food processor to help this and other food items turn out smoother. In my research the caloric and nutritional information for the cheese is about the same as unsweetened almond milk.

My Weight Loss Ticker...

New scale comes today...

My new scale is scheduled to be delivered today!!!! I will update this as soon as it comes!

*UPDATE* It came and it is COMPLETELY accurate. Unfortunately my old scale was off about 3 pounds...heavier....but the good thing is now I know and can be better informed of where I am instead of being disappointed at my clinic visits.

Can't wear....Don't Care...

My pants were falling down all day!!! I bought these in May and wore them once.

The little girl I work with said, "Your pants are HUUGE!" That was a great feeling because kids are honest! LOL

15 pounds down!!!

This is me, Before (May 20, 2012) & After (June 12, 2012). Down about 15 pounds!!!

I just made Silk Ice Cream!!!!!!

So, I can have almond milk and I'm thinking...hhhmmmmm ice cream right!?

So I looked up how to make ice cream at home and tweaked the recipe:

2 cups unsweetened almond milk
3-4 pack of truvia (it should be almost too sweet)
Splash of vanilla extract. (optional)
Pour mixture into a ziplock bag.
Place that bag into a bigger ziplock bag or tupperware. (think double boiler)
Add ice and 1/2 cup of salt to the outer bag/tupperware.
Shake 5-7 minutes.
SOFT SERVE!

I froze the rest for later, 1 cup is a serving.
I plan to purchase stevia flavored liquid, in orange, chocolate, or vanilla cream, and use instead of truvia and vanilla splash. I really shouldn't be having that vanilla extract, but it was just a SPLASH!

Fat: 2.5 g
Calories: 35
No sugar!

This was/is amazing. You must try it, even with regular or low fat milk. It's still better than store brought, plus you can mix in fruit, nuts, chocolate chips or whatever!

Orange-Spice Haddock with mashed sweet spaghetti squash and sauteed green beans.

Well...you guys know how to saute string beans! I used olive oil spray, garlic, sea salt, Mrs. Dash, and Olivio....

Haddock:

I seasoned it with sea salt and ground pepper, then it got fun...

I juiced one orange, and added to the juice:
Garlic Powder
Sea Salt
Ground Black Pepper
Italian Seasoning
Mrs. Dash
3 Packs of Truvia

I baked the fish at 350 and as it baked I poured the orange "glaze" over it...YUM.

Spaghetti Squash:

I cut in in half, lengthwise

I baked it at 400, about 40 minutes, until a knife goes right in easily.
I used a fork to pull the strings away from the rind
Put it in a pot and mash with potato masher, on high (to get extra moisture out)
I sprayed it with Olivio (calorie free/fat free/butter spray)
Add Truvia to taste
Add cinnamon to taste.
The result should be kinda like mashed sweet potatoes.

ENJOY!!!

My First Weigh In!!!!

Today I had my first weigh in follow-up appointment and I am VERY pleased! So there is no need in telling the world exactly WHAT my weight is, however I have lost significantly in a matter of day.
So during the first 2 days of your protocol (which is the length of program you choose, 25, 30, 50 or 60) you binge. I mean you can ea ANYTHING...then the low carb/low calorie diet starts.

Now, I am an eater and a cook and I can't do anything where I can't get REAL food! Although there is a long list of things you can't have, there are a lot of things you can have and I have been experimenting and substituting and it's actually been very fun!

Please ask me any questions and I will be honest!

Drum roll please........

I LOST A TOTAL OF 11.9 POUNDS!

-After the 2 binge days, through this morning has been 9 "diet" days, just to give you some perspective.

I ALSO LOST INCHES:
Chest: 1 inch
Waist: .25 inches
Left Arm: 1 inch
Right Arm: .50 inches
Left Thigh: .75 inches
Right Thigh: 1 inch

I am very proud of myself and can't WEIGHT to keep going! I can do this!

My new scale!

Ok so may Weight Watchers scale sucked, my last post has details so you guys don't make the same mistake I did. I mean I could step on it and the next second its 1-3 pounds difference....

Anyway....

This scale has great reviews and I ordered it today:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KXZ808/ref=ox_ya_os_product

I will let you guys know whats up with is as soon as it comes in. It's from AMAZON so it shouldn't take long!

My scale SUCKS!

This is my scale:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0008G2W6Q/ref=asc_df_B0008G2W6Q2046297?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-760-95-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395097&creativeASIN=B0008G2W6Q



Do not buy it...IT SUCKS and it is inaccurate. This scale has caused me much frustration this morning. I will be buying a new one and I will let you guys know which one!

Ahhh...that feels a little better.
I will ask the clinic for one that they recommend.

I will put some type of pics up of myself tomorrow...

So here's the deal...

So I came to the very vivid realization a few weeks ago that my life needed to change. I was about 100lbs overweight and my Dr. said my blood pressure would be better if I lost some weight. I have struggled with my weight FOREVER...all my life and I'm so freaking over it!

I was done tricking myself into thinking I was eating right and kinda working out..sometimes. I have tried to tackle my weight many many times, only losing a little and quickly giving up because I could never really be successful.

I tried everything!

I literally saw an ad in the magazine about the Bouari Clinic: www.weighlesslivelife.com/
I went for the free consultation and decided to try it.
They give you all natural drops, oral spray and appettite support, along with a suggested food list.

I started on Memorial Day, 2012, and to date I have lost approximately 12 pounds: It's been 11 days! That's more weight than I've lost in an entire MONTH before.

Tomorrow I go in for my first follow up appointment and I will see how much actual weight I've lost and inches. They weigh you and take your measurements as well as check your blood pressure and BMI.

Mentally, it has been a challenge, but as I see the weight coming off, it is getting easier. I am learning lifelong eating habits and I love the whole experience thus far.

I am worried though, that I will go tomorrow and the my scale has lied, or it was simply "water weight" or no tanglible success will be proven. Because you all know that every scale is different, even though my scale is a Weight Watchers scale....sometimes I just don't trust it.

Well we will just have to see tomorrow... WISH ME LUCK!

Grilled Chicken and Zucchini Pasta with Homemade Tomato Sauce

This was AMAZING!!! 188 Calories!!!

It was simple:

Season and grill chicken breast with, sea salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash.

Julienne and quickly boil zucchini (save middle and seeds)

Tomato Sauce:

3 small tomatoes, chopped

Remaining middle section of zucchini

2 Tbsp of EVOO

Garlic

Sea Salt

Ground black pepper

oregano

basil

Chop tomatoes and add to saucepan, add spices and let simmer for about 20 minutes. 

I need a nap before back to work, I have some more recipes and pics to show later! I've got to catch you all up with what I've been doing!

Lunch too late today....

Today I got up, took my sprays, my HCG drops...and jumped on the scale....
Down another 1.1 pounds.... So that makes me glad, but then I was running around, went to the college and then next thing I know, its 12:30 and I hadn't had ANY breakfast!!!!
NOT GOOD : (

So I had to rush home and whip up a quick salad.... Now I am behind a meal for the day so I will have to eat several snack to get my calories in for the day!

OAN: This is what I made though

Canned Tuna over Iceburg lettuce, with pear halves.

Nothing too special, but with a great pear vinaigrette.

Vinaigrette: I use this recipe and add different enhancers like peaches or strawberries and save it.

A few tablespoons of EVOO
A few more table spoons of Red Wine Vinegar
1 pack Truvia
Sea Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Mrs. Dash to taste.
(I used the pear juice from the pears)
Whisk together and your done!

Tatse as you go and add more Truvia, or salt, depending on how you like yours.

Zucchini Pasta and Shrimp

This is my favorite new recipe to date! Zucchini "Pasta" and shrimp. It was sooo easy and tasty!

"Pasta"
Cut 3 zucchini into strips (I used a cheese grater and cut them lengthwise into strips)
Add to boiling salted pasta for 2 minutes. Not too long, it will mush!

Shrimp
Season with garlic powder, sea salt, ground black paper, Mrs. Dash original
Cook in hot pan with olive oil spray.

"Pasta" Sauce
Take middle of zucchini (after cutting strips; they are like cucumbers)
Boil in same water as strips until soft.
Put in small sauce pan.
Mash and add garlic, sea salt, ground pepper and olive oil.

Drain "Pasta" and pour sauce over....ENJOY!!!!

This is Day 10...I decided to start this....stay tuned!