Day 11

Well I don't have much to say I guess...other then I did put on 1 size smaller of jeans this morning and even they are a bit baggie in the waist! Woo-Hoo! I'm actually considering extending Phase 1 an additional week, but we'll see if I still feel that way come Day 14.

I wish I had more great recipes to share, however, most of the ones I've tried have not been great at all...I've found at this point, it's just easier to grill a piece of meat and have a side of veggies!

A Great Video

I love this video. It's a huge acapella group that starts by "making rain" with noises...but it might seem slow at first, but keep watching once they add in the thunder, it's incredible...then you can just listen to their rendition of Africa by ToTo.


I'm hoping this link will get you there...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjbpwlqp5Qw&feature=player_embedded

I promise...you won't be disappointed! It made me smile!

Day 7 Almost Done

I know it's been a few days since you've been able to hear about my dieting woes...I'm sure you've just been missing it!

Well I'm proud to say, here I am 3/4 of the way through Day 7, feeling good and still I have NOT cheated. I must admit, I'm shocked by that fact!

I'll admit I'm still trying to figure all the mumbo jumbo out of this South Beach Diet, it can be confusing! But for anyone out there looking to even drop a few pounds or eat healthier...the SB mentality is focused on the protein vs. carbs more then calories along with low sugar...as in...I can eat a few sugar free items, but the calories put together must not total more then 75 calories in 1 day!

And thanks to Rachel for the Fresca! I've always loved Fresca...but didn't remember it being sugar free and especially didn't realize it had ZERO calories! I still only treat myself to 1 of those per day, as I figure in general carbonated drinks are not great!

Anyway...I really have nothing exciting to share other then I haven't fallen off the band wagon.

I won't have a weight loss update for you until 7 days from now, as my sister & I vowed to not get on the scale again before then end of the 2 weeks. Soon...she & I will be skinny sisters!

Day 4 and 3 lbs Lighter

Well yesterday I must admit was probably my hardest day yet...but I survived it. Today I'm finally feeling better...still not loving it of course, but have accepted it finally. Plus...I had thought that in Phase I, you weren't allowed any sodas, diet or otherwise or any other drink besides water, coffee or tea...but after some research, I can have decaf diet soda or any other sugar free drink (although I can't think of any at the time...any tips would be great)! I've been missing the flavor more then anything else...as of yet, I've only drank 100% water and it really does get old.

I don't have any more recipes to share yet, especially since the SB Recipe I tried for these morning Egg & Spinach Things left me gagging this morning!

Tonight...steak & asparagus....YUM!

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Here is the first healthy recipe I have to share...

1 head of iceburg lettuce (* I used this & was good, but also cabbage would be great)
3 T hoisin sauce
2 T soy sauce
2 T water
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 t grated fresh ginger
2 t + 2 T peanut or olive oil
1 lb ground chicken
1 red bell pepper, diced
8 oz can water chestnuts, drained & chopped fine

Remove 8 large, bowl-shaped leaved from head of lettuce. Whisk hoisin sauce, soy sauce & water together in small bowl. Combine garlic, ginger & 2 t oil in seperate small bowl.

Heat 1 T oil in skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook chicken, stirring to break up clumps, until just cooked through. Season with salt & pepper and transfer to another dish.

Add remaining 1 T oil to same skillet & heat until just smoking. Add red bell pepper, water chestnuts (*I did more then chop, I put mine in food processor) and cook until peppers soften, about 3 minutes. Push that mixture to the side of the skillet and add the garlic mixture to the center of the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Then add chicken and sauce to skillet and mix everything and stir until thickened, about 30 seconds. Spoon mixture into lettuce leaves & serve.

**I hope you enjoy!

Day 2 & Still Alive

Okay...Day 2 and counting. I successfully complete Day 1 without cheating, but ending the day with quite a headache which I am sure was due to lack of D.P. But still walked 2 miles and ate a sugar free popsicle (They are allowed!). Then took 2 Tylenol PM and went to bed! But woke up without a headache so that was a bonus!

Last night's Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps were SO yummy! They had great flavor...so it made me think I need to be sharing these recipes if they are really good. I forgot to bring to work today, but I will post it tomorrow...so if you want some good, healthy recipes keep checking back!

Thanks for all the sweet words of encouragement!

South Beach Here I Come...

You might be thinking...oh I'm jealous...she's going to Florida. Well...you'd be wrong. I assure you no jealousy is deserved. Today is my Day 1 of the South Beach Diet. I've known for some months now that I need to do something...but I was lacking motivation I suppose. Then in the last week I had decided to do the South Beach, but wasn't really going to follow it exactly what it said...but I woke up this morning with a fresh attitude, so I'm going for it 100%. For those of you unfamiliar, Phase I is the initial 2 week "cleansing" period. For 2 weeks, I will not have Dr.Pepper (or any other soda), bread, pasta, potato, fruit or sugar. Yes...you heard me right...even fruit! But that's only for 2 weeks so my body can reset how it digests food. After that in Phase II, I can have as much fruit as I want and a balance of the other things... South Beach is all about the glycemic index and wants you to focus on eating food with a good protein/carb balance and foods that take longer to break down, etc. Anyway...so I am guessing, I'm in for a VERY long day...I can't remember a day without D.P...that is going to be the hardest for sure.

Thanks to Jackie...although she doesn't realize that after lunch with her last week and her sharing how it's worked so well for Jeff...it gave me that final push of motivation I needed!

If anyone has any yummy recipes they want to share with me consisting of only meat & veggies...I'd love them. I'll be making Asian Lettuce Wraps tonight...

So...may the power be with me!