Detox - Day 30 (Top 5 Recipes)

                                     We Finished The Detox Phase!  Yeah!
                                  It's Time To Celebrate With A Sugar Note.


This is one of my cards, and you can purchase it at:
www.SugarNotes.etsy.com

Our Top 5 Recipes Of The Month

We thought it would be fun if we shared our top 5 recipes from the Detox phase.  My husband and I surprisingly agreed on the top 4, but couldn't agree on #5.  So, I listed both.

#5 - My husband chose the cheeseburger from Day 1
       and I chose eggs, fried in bacon grease.
#4 - Beef Tenderloin Medallions and sauteed mushrooms & onions from Day 17.
#3 - Taco Salad from Day 1
#2 - Roasted Tomato Soup from Day 15
#1 - Butterflied Rosemary Chicken with Pan Juices (Day 2)

Breakfast - Artichoke Frittata (from SS web site) plus 1 sausage link.  First, I increased the recipe to 4 servings so we'd have leftovers.  And, I cut the onions in half; one onion per serving is too much for us. 

Basically, you saute the onion, then add the chopped artichoke.  Saute for a minute, then pour in the whisked eggs.  Top with a little Parmesan cheese, then put it all in the oven (350 degrees) for 10 minutes.  It looked beautiful, but there were too many artichokes.  That's all you could taste.  I'd recommend cutting the artichokes in half, and making up the missing veggie serving at lunch or dinner.

AM Snack - Fruit and 1 oz. of Maqui Juice.

Lunch - Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing (from SS web site).  This was awesome, but there wasn't enough dressing.  Since it's made from the bacon grease, you have to take what Suzanne tells you is enough.  It's better than nothing.  Also, I added some chopped scallions because, for me, it's not a Spinach Salad without them.

PM Snack - We had more of those awesome Rice Crisps (by Lundberg) from yesterday and fresh salsa.  It's just like tortilla chips and salsa, which is a perfect treat for watching the Nascar race.  (one serving is 10 chips)

Dinner - Lamb Burger, Greek Style (pg. 270).  I'm not the biggest fan of lamb, so I mixed one pound of ground chuck and one pound ground lamb, together.  Plus, at our grocery store, lamb is $8.00 per pound.  Another reason to mix.  The recipe also calls for sliced, raw onions that you place on top of the lamb burger.  But, I don't care for raw onions, so I chopped them and mixed into the raw meat.

After the burgers are cooked thru, you melt 1 oz. of feta cheese on top.  The taste was wonderful.  It was hearty and juicy.  Kind of like a hamburger with the volume turned up.  I placed the burger on a lettuce leaf.  Then, add sliced tomatoes and chopped cucumbers on the side.  With each burger bite, we stabbed some of the veggies, too.  It's very filling and enjoyable to eat.

BONUS:  If you'd like to order one of my Sugar Notes greeting cards, I have a special discount code set up for my loyal blog followers.  At checkout, put in the code, "SexyForever" to get a 10% discount on your order.  www.SugarNotes.etsy.com

Detox - Day 29

I Think I Made A Mistake

Due to a little delay in our Saturday morning activities, I changed our planned breakfast meal at the last minute.  Mainly, because it was getting late and, as a result, I didn't have time to make what I had planned.  Plus, I didn't want to skip my exercise day.  I was tempted to, but calmer heads prevailed (my husband).
 
However, I didn't change the rest of the meals for the day, and I think I ended up having too many carbs today.  If you follow the meal plan for today, change the snack to something other than a carb.

Breakfast - Fruit and one oz. Maqui Juice; then we exercised.  Afterwards we had a frozen whole grain waffle (Vans brand) with natural peanut butter.

AM Snack - By the time we exercised and finished breakfast it was almost 10:30.  So, we skipped our snack to keep on track for the rest of the day.

Lunch - BLT (found on SS website) and a slice of cheese (1 oz.).  Since this was lunch, and not a snack, we could actually add the bacon.  And it was heaven. 

Instead of bread, use lettuce cups or a firm leaf lettuce.  Spread it with a little mayo, some tomato slices, and the bacon.  Then, wrap and eat.  I made 2 wraps, putting one slice of bacon on each.  Allow one tomato per person to get your veggie quota.  I ended up eating one slice of tomato with my cheese because I couldn't fit it all on the BLT.

PM Snack - Rice Crisps (by Lundberg) and homemade salsa I found in our produce department.  This was a fabulous snack as it tasted just like tortilla chips and salsa ... one of my favorite snacks.  I found the crisps in the gluten-free section of our grocery store.  They're made with brown rice and brown flour.  However, as I mentioned above, do not eat this snack if you've already had your carbs at breakfast.

Dinner - Garlicky Shrimp on Mixed Greens (from SS web site).  While the shrimp was wonderful (saute in EVOO and minced garlic) the dressing was too overpowering.  And, for me, it didn't quite go with the dish.  The dressing had soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, EVOO, salt & pepper.  It was the soy sauce that ruined it for me.

I made enough shrimp for lunch on Monday, and I'll try a different dressing and let you know if it's better.

Detox - Day 28 (weigh-in day)

It's Weigh-In Day!

Today's a good day, because my hubby and I saw the scale move, again!  We're just thrilled with the Sexy Forever plan!

My hubby lost 4 pounds; for a total of 15 pounds after 4 weeks on the plan.  So, he's already half-way to his goal of losing 30 pounds.  For me, I lost one pound, and I'm amazed!  So, that makes a total of 8 pounds after 4 weeks.  It's the most I've ever lost in the first month on any plan I've tried during the past 10 years.  And, I can't say enough about the food ... so satisfying and fairly easy to prepare.

Breakfast - Ate up the last of the fruit in the house plus 1 ounce of Maqui Juice.  Waited 20 minutes and then had a Whole Grain, Gluten-free frozen waffle (by Vans) and some natural peanut butter.  My husband found it to be a little dry, but I'm a die-hard bread fan so I loved it!  I'll take bread any way I can get it.  Even disguised as a waffle.  Plus, who doesn't enjoy peanut butter?

AM Snack - I wasn't hungry for a snack.

Lunch - Salad topped with the last of the chicken tenders from Day 26.

PM Snack - Slice of cheese.  (1/2 oz)

Dinner - Leftover marinated sirloin steak from last night.  I also roasted the last of the cauliflower and broccoli by sprinkling them with a little EVOO, dried marjoram, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.  Then roast in the oven on 375 degrees for 18 minutes.  Yum!

Beverages:  I was really thirsty today for some reason and exceeded my water by one 8-oz. cup.

Detox - Day 27

A Word About Eggs

One of the things I enjoy about this program, is not having to buy those cartons of egg whites in the dairy case.  They're yucky if you ask me.  In her book, Sexy Forever, Suzanne tells us not to be afraid of eggs.

She says eggs are an excellent source of protein, plus they have the added benefit of being naturally rich in lecithin, a substance your liver needs in order to produce bile.  And to look for organic-omega-3 and DHA fortified eggs for added benefits.  Also, if the cost of organic foods are prohibitive for you, she adds that organic eggs are the least expensive form of organic protein, and they're versatile for any meal.

Just in case you're wondering, one servings of eggs is 2 large eggs.  I have truly enjoyed the experience of eating eggs without worry and especially the decadent taste when you fry them in butter.  It's just about as good as a slice of cake, in my book.  I do have to worry about my cholesterol, so we'll see what my blood work says during my yearly physical next month.  I'll keep you posted.

Breakfast - Kashi puffed whole grain cereal with non-fat milk and a sprinkle of SomerSweet.

AM Snack - I had a bad headache today, so I felt nauseous for a few hours and didn't even want a snack.  Plus, I had to skip my exercise today, too.  I hate that.

Lunch - Still felt under the weather, so I had a little leftover chicken (about 2 oz.) and a tiny, tiny salad.

PM Snack -  Medicine finally kicked in, so I was hungry for an organic apple.

Dinner - Marinated sirloin steak, that I pounded to 1/2 inch; then I broiled it.  And, sauteed rappini.  I didn't know what rappini was, but it was on sale for 99 cents a bunch and my produce guy said it was great sauteed. 

It looked like big leafy, dark green lettuce, but on stems like broccoli.  And, it even had a few buds on it that looked like broccoli.  I sauteed a shallot in olive oil until golden on the edges.  Then, I added the rappini, which only took about 3-4 minutes to wilt down.  The result:  it was too bitter for my taste buds, but very tender like sauteed spinach.

Beverages:  came up way short today due to my headache.  One of the benefits of having your own business is having the flexibility to take time off when you're sick.  So, I layed in bed with a heat pack on my head for most of the morning.

Detox - Day 26

I'm All About Saving Time

On Thursdays, I make time to plan our meals for the whole week.  My game plan is to make enough servings for 3-4 meals, depending upon the meal.  That way, I have leftovers throughout the week.  And, that means, I eliminate some prep work each day.  This is especially important, for me, when preparing lunch.

Like most of you, I don't have time in the morning to prepare a full meal to pack for our lunches.  And, a person can only eat so many salads before they get sick of them, and in turn, sick of the diet/lifestyle plan.

But, there is a method to my madness.  When I choose meals, I take into consideration how they taste when they're re-heated.  And, how well they last in the fridge, before they become re-heated.  I have found that all soups, and meats, like chicken and patties, do very well. 

Recipes that don't reheat well, I reserve for a one night offering for dinner.  However, I'm lucky because my husband will eat just about anything.  So, if we happen to have a leftover from a recipe I don't like when it's reheated, he'll eat it.  That's because he hates wasting food more than I do!

Breakfast - Leftover quinoa from Day 24.  I don't know why, but it seems to taste better when re-heated.  I'd love to hear comments about your experience with quinoa from some of my followers.

AM Snack - Organic apple.

Lunch - Today was a refrigerator clean out day.  My husband has been sick, and as a result he missed a meal one day (choosing broth instead), and didn't eat all of his 8 oz. protein servings each day.  So, we ended up with leftovers for two meals.  He had the leftover fennel soup with chicken and I had leftover Caesar salad (yum) and Chipolte Pork.

PM Snack -  My metabolism must be kicking in, because I've been hungry for both snacks these past few days.  I had some string cheese today.

Dinner - Something new today.  We had a delicious salad (pg. 174) with baby green lettuce, chicken tenders that I sauteed tonight, sun dried tomatoes, goat cheese and homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing (pg. 227).

Beverages:  Fell short today; six 8-oz. glasses of water and a cup of tea.

Detox - Day 25

SomerSweet

I don't like the taste of artificial sweeteners because they taste artificial to me.  But, on the other hand, I like the taste of sugar, and that's a no-no on the Sexy Forever plan. 

Suzanne claims that SomerSweet, her all natural, low calorie sugar substitute, looks like sugar, tastes like sugar, and bakes like sugar.  So I ordered some from her web site.  And today, I tried it for the first time on my cereal.  I don't know if I would go so far and say it tastes like sugar, but it's pretty darn close.  Mainly, because it didn't taste artificial, and that's huge in my book.

Breakfast - Whole grain puffs (by Kashi) and non-fat milk.  First, I tried the puffs without SomerSweet because I'd never had them before.  I'm used to Post Golden Crisp puffed wheat, and this was sadly bland.  Then, I added some SomerSweet and it perked right up.  While it still had a long way to go to compare to the sugary goodness of Golden Crisps, it was a nice healthy alternative.

AM Snack - Today was an exercise day, so I had a bowl of red grapes.  Yum.  And, one oz. of Maqui Juice.  Note:  I soaked the grapes in lemon water for 60 minutes to get rid of the toxins.

Lunch - Leftover sole from Day 23, and the last of the fennel soup from Day 23.

PM Snack - A slice of cheese.

Dinner - Leftover Caesar Salad (from Day 24) and leftover baked chicken breast (from Day 24).  This time, we ate the salad like Suzanne suggests.  Just dip the spears in the dressing, and crunch.  It was a fun way to eat salad, and, I think it tasted a little better, too.

Beverages:  seven 8-oz. glasses of water and a cup of tea.

Detox - Day 24

We Need A Pat On The Back

Since today was a holiday day off, my husband and I decided to take care of some looming projects that we keep putting off.  One of them was submitting all the paperwork for our healthcare flexible spending account.  I know, I know ... it wouldn't be such a big project if I took care of it every 3 months, but I tend to be a procrastinator.  My husband is not, which makes for some challenging times.

It took me almost 5 hours to sort and write out all of the information on the stupid forms.  There has to be a better way to do this!  Plus, with my hubby's help, it took another 45 minutes just to photocopy everything.  Whew, what a job.

So, if any of you want to give me a pat on the back, I'd appreciate it.  Plus, my husband deserves one too because he took care of lots of little things around the house.  We were both so proud of ourselves.  Normally, after this kind of unpleasant work we reward ourselves with a glass of wine and some cheese and crackers.  But, we're still in the Detox stage.  So, I think that restraint deserves an extra pat on the back, don't you?

Breakfast - Quinoa with a splash of non-fat milk and a squirt of Agave nectar.  I'm beginning to like this breakfast.

AM Snack - a fruit bowl (1-1/2 cups) and one oz. Maqui Juice.

Lunch - Leftover Chipolte Pork & Salsa, from Day 21, plus leftover fennel soup from Day 22.

PM Snack - String cheese.

Dinner - Caesar Salad (Slim & Sexy book, pg. 183) with Baked Chicken breasts. Making your own Caesar salad dressing really makes a difference.  It was so flavorful, but fresh tasting at the same time.  I could have eaten double, it was that good.

To make the chicken breasts, I basted EVOO all over the meat, then sprinkled Grillmates Montreal Chicken (by McCormick) on top.  Then, bake in a 375 degree oven for 45 minutes.  They were a wonderful compliment to the salad.  I made extra chicken for leftovers later in the week, too.

Beverages:  seven 8-ounce glasses of water and a cup of tea.

Detox - Day 23

To Cheat, Or Not To Cheat

Normally, when I start a new diet plan, I'm so motivated that I can overcome the urge to have some cookies or a little treat.  Especially, if the scale has moved, even a little bit.  The hard part really begins, for me, at about the start of week four.  The urges seem to get stronger.

I don't know if it's this plan, or that I'm extra motivated this time, but I haven't really had those urges for a treat ... even the mild urges.  It's kind of weird, too.  Usually by now, there are at least a few times where I would have to work to get those urges out of my head.  But, that hasn't happened, yet.

While it puzzles me, I'm thankful, too.  Or, maybe, just maybe, I may have found a lifestyle plan that I can live with.  It has been fun trying new things, and for the most part, the food has been very satisfying.  And, in some cases, spectacular.

Breakfast - Spicy Fried Eggs with Basil (pg. 210) and a turkey sausage link.  I have been wanting to try this dish since day one.  It made me curious, but I didn't know if I would like it.  After trying 3 weeks of recipes, and most were winners, I decided to give this one a try.  And, it was surprisingly good.  For me, this was very different from my normal breakfast fare.

Basically, you saute some onions (I used sweet onions) until they're brown and crispy.  When done, divide them between two plates.  Then, in the same pan, fry the eggs with a little butter or EVOO,  Sprinkle them with salt, pepper, turmeric, cayenne, and paprika.  Put a lid on the pan once the edges start to turn brown.  When done to your likeness, put them onto the plated onions.

They look very different than usual fried eggs because of the spices.  The first bite had me saying, yum.  Usually I'm not one to serve onions for breakfast, and that's the reason I was skeptic about this recipe.  But, the onions were a wonderful balance.

Preparation Recommendation:  I used sweet onions.  Plus, the recipe serves 2 and calls for 2 large onions.  I reduced this amount and only used one medium onion.  And it was plenty. 

AM Snack - After our hearty breakfast, I craved some fruit.  Plus, one oz. Maqui Juice.

Lunch - Leftover Fennel Soup and sauteed shrimp from yesterday.  The soup was even better the second day.  Don't forget to sprinkle on the chives and sour cream before serving.

PM Snack - 10 skinless almonds.  A nice salty, crunch on a Sunday afternoon while watching the Daytona 500.

Dinner - Indian Style Sole (pg, 262) and steamed broccoli.  The jury is still out on this extremely quick and easy dish.  Basically, you season the sole with cumin, turmeric, cayenne, salt and pepper.  Then, fry it in EVOO for 3 minutes on each side.  It looked lovely when it was done, but for me, the cayenne overpowered the fish.

While the fish was tender, I think I would have enjoyed it better with about half, if not more, of the cayenne.  Or maybe it would have been better with a heartier fish, as sole is a mild white fish.  If any of you try it, I'd love to know your opinions.

Beverages:  seven 8-oz. glasses of water and I forgot to drink my tea again.  So, I'm short for the second day in a row.

Detox - Day 22

What Are Fennel Bulbs?

I'm ready to start week 4, as I just got back from the grocery store with 7 days of food.  And, as with prior weeks, I'm trying something I've never purchased or eaten before.  Fennel.

First off, I had to get over the sticker shock as each fennel bulb was $2.49 ... and I needed 5 of them.  I'm making fennel soup tonight and I'm increasing the recipe to serve 6; or for us, a total of 3 days of soup.  I like those leftovers.

I didn't know it until I started slicing it, but fennel has a strong licorice odor and taste when it’s raw.  But once roasted, the fennel takes on a sweet savory taste with only a slight licorice aroma.  That's right up my alley, because I love licorice.  But, even if you're not a fan, like my husband, you can barely taste the licorice in this soup.

Basically, you slice the fennel and yellow onions into 1/4 inch slices.  Plus, 5 cloves of garlic.  Then roast them in the oven for about an hour.  When done, you puree the veggies with 5 cups of chicken stock.  Then add 3/4 cup heavy cream and heat on the stove.  Top with some chives and sour cream (can you believe it?) if you wish.  The result:  HEAVEN!

Breakfast - Fried eggs in butter with sauteed zucchini.  What a treat!  I especially like the way the eggs cook when you put a lid on them.  Thanks for the tip, Suzanne!

AM Snack - A cup of fruit plus one oz. Maqui Juice.

Lunch - Leftover Chipotle Pork & Salsa (from Day 20), plus a side salad.

PM Snack - String cheese.

Dinner - Caramelized Fennel Soup (pg. 173 from the Slim & Sexy book), plus sauteed shrimp.  To prepare the shrimp, I heated some EVVO in a saute pan, added the shrimp (in the shells) and sprinkled with sea salt and pepper.  The shrimp are done when they curl up.  This combination was absolutely decadent.

I topped my soup with chives, but my husband had both the chives and the sour cream.  Both ways give this savory soup the gourmet touch.  It's fun to eat fancy because you don't feel like you're eating diet food.

Beverage:  seven 8-ounce glasses of water, but I forgot to have the tea, so I fell short today.

Detox - Day 21 (weigh-in day)

It's Weigh-In Day!

I wasn't expecting to lose anything when I stepped on the scale because we cheated a little bit while celebrating Valentine's Day.  So, I was giddy with delight when the scale showed that I lost 3 pounds!  Yipppeee!  That makes a total of 7 pounds after only 3 weeks.  It's unbelievable.

My husband, however, didn't fare so well.  He has a head cold and I think he's retaining fluids (lots of snot).  The scale only showed a one pound loss, for a total of 11 pounds.  He'll probably shock the scale next week.

Breakfast - Today was an exercise day, so I had some fruit first.  Then, afterwards I had leftover quinoa with a splash of non-fat milk and agave nectar.  I make two servings at a time because the second day it seems better, for some reason.  And, it's quick because you don't have to wait the 18 minutes for preparation.

AM Snack - I love fruit because it's the only sweet item to choose from while in the Detox phase.  So, I make sure I get all 3 servings each day.  Plus, I had one oz. Maqui Juice.
Lunch - The last of the Roasted Chicken and a side salad.

PM Snack - One serving of fruit.

Dinner - Leftover Chipolte-glazed Pork and Salsa, plus leftover roasted cauliflower.  My husband had some broth because his throat was sore, so we'll have an extra serving of the tenderloin to use up.

Beverages:  seven 8-ounce glasses of water and a cup of tea.

Detox - Day 20

Reflections Regarding the "Sexy Forever" Plan

As we're nearing the end of week 3, in the Detox Phase, I've been reflecting on the food and the preparations associated with this plan.  And, I'm delighted to say that I couldn't be happier.  My husband and I keep saying, "I don't feel like I'm on a diet with this food".

I think one of the main problem with many diets is the taste of the food.  If you don't enjoy, or like the food, it won't become a lifestyle for you.  The other problem is the time involved with preparation.  I've been on diets where I felt like I was cooking all the time.  And, that's not fun either.  On the "Sexy Forever" plan, these issues aren't a factor at all if you do a little planning.

In fact, prior to starting the plan I was concerned about the lunch items.  I didn't think I could do it because there are no sandwiches or items you can prepare easily in the morning, when most people pack their lunches.  But, with some planning ahead, and using leftovers, it's been quite easy.  And, I have to say that it's refreshing to have new food items for lunch, other than the old standbys of the past.

Breakfast - Fruit smoothie and 1 ounce of Maqui Juice.

AM Snack -  I'm always hungry for a snack when I choose the fruit only breakfast option.  I had one slice of toasted whole grain bread spread with natural peanut butter.

Lunch - Leftover Southwest Chicken from Day 16 and leftover sauteed cauliflower.

PM Snack - One hard boiled egg.

Dinner - Chipotle-Glazed Pork with Candied Tomato Salsa (pg. 254 in the Slim & Sexy Forever book).  This delicious recipe called for another ingredient I was not familiar with ... adobo sauce.  It's a spicy, dark red Mexican sauce made from ground chile's, herbs, garlic, tomatoes and vinegar.  Chipolte chilies are often stewed and packed in adobo sauce.

For this recipe you make a marinade using the adobo sauce, plus EVOO, salt and pepper.  Then, spread it over the pork tenderloin and let it sit for 1 hour or overnight.  Next, you sear it on all sides, then put it in a 450 degree oven for about 10 minutes.  When it comes out of the oven, it's absolutely beautiful.

While it was baking, I made the Candied Tomato Salsa (pg. 202) using the extra roasted tomatoes I made on Day 15 for the tomato soup.  The salsa was very easy to make.  I also threw together a quick side salad.  The result:  AWESOME!

The coating on the tenderloin gave the meat some heft.  Then, you dollop a little of the salsa on each piece and it takes the meal to a new level.  My husband said, "it's pork tenderloin with a little zip and attitude".  I'm looking forward to having it again, tomorrow!

Beverages: seven 8-ounce glasses of water and a cup of tea.

Detox - Day 19 (Quinoa Update)

Quinoa - Part 3

A girl from Wisconsin, the dairy state, shouldn't have to suffer with skim milk.  It was bad enough, 15 years ago, when I made the transition from whole milk to 2%.  I've tried skim milk over the years and it's disgusting.  Who ever heard of pouring milk-flavored water over breakfast cereal?

Now, Suzanne is asking me to do the same thing.  But, she offered a choice.  Goat's milk.  While stood by the dairy case, holding the ominous-looking carton of goat's milk in my hand, I just couldn't bring myself to put it in my grocery cart.  So, I got some lactose free, fat-free milk instead.  I've had it before and it's a little sweeter and a little thicker than skim milk.  But, not my favorite.

I also found the mysterious Agave Nectar in the baking isle in our grocery store.  We have a little section with health food items, in-between the spices and the flour.  Suzanne would be proud because it's certified USDA organic.  It's made my Madhava and the label says it's a light, 100% pure sweetener.

So, with my new items in hand, I made quinoa this morning.  And, I'm happy to report that they made all the difference in the world.  The agave nectar is just sweet enough, dissolved quickly, and it won't crystallize like honey.  It really enhanced the taste of the quinoa.  So, after my third try at making quina, I found a substitute for oatmeal!

I'd recommend adding a little bit of the agave nectar, then taste it.  Then, add more if necessary.  And, one final note.  I'm not saying quinoa is the best thing since sliced bread, but it's definitely an option for some variety.

Breakfast - 1 cup of cooked quinoa with a splash of lactose free, fat-free milk, and a good squeeze of agave nectar.  Note:  1/3 cup dry quinoa will yield 1 cup of cooked quinoa.  You can also add a pinch of salt during the cooking process.

PM Snack - Today was an exercise day, so I had some fruit because I was hungry.  Plus, one oz. Maqui Juice.

Lunch - My husband and I had "Lunch Wars" today.  We had one serving each of the leftover chicken patties (not a favorite as they were bland), the tomato soup (awesome), and the antipasto salad (the escarole was too tough).  My husband has a cold, so he played the "sick card," claiming he should get the soup.  So, I got stuck with the antipasto salad.

PM Snack - 10 skinless almonds.  Yum.

Dinner - We had the Roasted Chicken from Day 16.  I also sauteed some yellow squash as a side dish.  I sprinkled them with Grillmates Montreal Chicken by McCormick.

Beverages: seven 8-ounce glasses of water.  Came up short because I didn't have tea tonight.

Detox - Day 18

A Word About Vegetables

I'm probably not alone when I say that I'm not too imaginative, when it comes to vegetables.  And, before the Sexy Forever plan, I didn't eat enough of them.  Mainly, I'm discovering, because I didn't look outside my comfort zone.

Suzanne's recipes have introduced me to all the splendor in the produce department.  And, I've also gotten to know the produce people at my market because, half the time, I don't know what some of the items are, let alone, what they look like.  And, once found, I need some guidance as to how to slice, peel, or prepare it for the recipe.

For example, last week, when I made the Tuscan White Bean Soup, it called for celery root.  I had no clue where to find it, what it looked like, or how to peel it.  And, this week I was challenged to find a head of escarole leaves.  Left to my own devices, I gave up and had to ask for help.

But, in spite of my novice vegetable knowledge, it's been fun trying new recipes.  With the exception of the escarole.  I've actually enjoyed the experience of trying new things, even if they're vegetables.  So, when Dorothy, of the Wizard of Oz, said that she's not going to leave her own backyard.  I say, Dorothy, you're wrong.  You need to change your outlook regarding the unknown and loosen up.

Breakfast - I made a delicious fruit smoothie.  Plus, one oz. Maqui Juice.

AM Snack - Toasted whole grain bread and natural peanut butter.  Remember, this counts as all your carbs for the day.

Lunch - Leftover Chopped Antipasto Salad.  I'm not a fan of the escarole leaves, or the arugula for that matter.  One's too thick and hard to chew and the other is bitter.  And, together, they take away from the other flavors in this salad.  I hate to waste food, so I had to force this down, about half way through.  I'd recommend replacing one of them with a soft or neutral tasting lettuce, like butter lettuce.

PM Snack - Since I already ate my fruit and carbs for the day, I had a sliced tomato drizzled with EVOO and a little basil.

Dinner - Leftover Southwest Roasted Chicken, from Day 16.  Plus, balsamic and parmesan roasted cauliflower.  All you do is toss the cauliflower with EVOO, dried marjoram, salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar.  Roast in the oven for 15 minutes, then sprinkle parmesan cheese on top, and roast for another 5 minutes.  It's fabulous.

Beverages:  I didn't meet my quota today; six 8-ounce glasses of water and a cup of tea.

Detox - Day 17

                                             Happy Valentine's Day!

                               
                        Here's another card from Sugar Notes, my greeting card line.
                                             www.SugarNotesCards.com

My husband and I usually go out for dinner on Valentine's Day, but since we're still in the Detox Phase, we decided to make a romantic meal at home.  And, thankfully, Suzanne Somers didn't let me down because I found the most amazing meal in her book, Sexy Forever.  And, it was just perfect for Valentine's Day.

Breakfast - We had the last of the Zucchini & Green Tomato Fritta, (from Day 15) and turkey sausage links.  I will definitely make this again, but will add an extra egg.  It wasn't quite enough for my husband.

AM Snack - Today was an exercise day, so I was hungry and had some fruit and one ounce of Maqui Juice.

Lunch - Leftover chicken patty (from Day 15) and that wonderful tomato soup (from Day 15).  We found the chicken patties to be bland, so I sprinkled some cheese on top when I reheated mine.  Sadly, it didn't help.  They need some zip!  But, they're very moist.  And the soup . . . I'll be making it again, and again.  But, take a tip from me and double the recipe.  It's a lot of work, for so little (five 1/2-cup servings).  Freeze the extra 5 servings for meals down the road.

PM Snack - Didn't have it so I could partake in a little treat with our Sleepy Time Tea.  Hey, it's Valentine's Day.

Our Valentine Dinner - Beef Tenderloin Medallions (pg. 272), sauteed mushrooms and onions (pg. 235), and a small side salad.   I ordered 8 ounces of beef tenderloin, when I was shopping last Friday, and asked the butcher to slice it into 1/2-inch pieces.  My husband picked it up on his way home, along with some surprise flowers for me.  Isn't he sweet?  In preparation for our decadent meal, I put lots of candles on the table, and together with the flowers, they set the mood for the evening.  And the meal didn't disappoint.  It was just as special as going out to a fancy restaurant.

One warning about the mushrooms and onions; the recipe directs you to caramelize the onions for 30 minutes before adding the mushrooms.  That's too long, considering the extra 10 minutes for the mushrooms to cook on medium-high heat.  My onions got a little over-done.  Plus, you need to plan ahead, because this recipe does take a lot of time to prepare.

Overall, this meal was simple to prepare, yet very elegant and sumptuous.  After you pound the tenderloin 1/4 inch thick, you rub them with some smashed garlic and EVOO.  Then, saute for 2 minutes on each side, and top with a little goat cheese.   It's like heaven in your mouth! 

Dessert - We splurged and had a treat for Valentine's Day.  I skipped my PM snack, and my husband and I split a crunchy granola bar (two come in the package) to have with our evening tea.  I'll probably pay or it on Friday, when we weigh in, but it was worth it.  They're so good because they look and taste like a tea cookie.  Nature Valley makes them.

Detox - Day 16

Here's A Sugar Note, Valentine.

It's one of my greeting cards.

                                         http://www.sugarnotescards.com/


Our First Outing While In Detox

We decided to celebrate Valentine's Day, a day early, and went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal.  There were lots and lots of food temptations, but at the end of our fun-filled day, we didn't do too bad.  In fact, my Valentine and I were surprised at how much will power we had because we didn't drool over anything, except the Butterbeer.  So, we split one and it was incredible!

Breakfast - We heated up the leftover Zucchini & Green Tomato Fritta from yesterday, and we each had 2 turkey links.  It was just as good heated up, as it was fresh out of the oven.

AM Snack -  I put a couple clementines and an apple in my tote and we ate them, at a little table, while we watched people ride the Dragon Challenge.  An extremely awesome ride.  The weather was a bit cool, but the sun was bright and warm.  It was an enchanting day.

Lunch - We couldn't leave without eating at the "Three Broomsticks", which resembled Hogswarts school.  The only thing that came remotely close to the "Sexy Forever" plan was a bowl of pea soup with ham.  Which, luckily, we enjoy. 

However, when it was served, I immediately spotted some soda crackers on our plates.  I'm a sucker for any type of cracker, and I have to admit, I caved and ate them.  When my husband saw me opening the package, he broke his open, too.  He said he wasn't going to eat them unless I did.  They were absolutely wonderful.  I can't believe I got so excited about crackers, but I did.

PM Snack -  We had an out-of-this-world treat.  The famous, Harry Potter Butterbeer.  OMG!  It tasted like a liquid shortcake cookie.  We split one, and it was heaven.  We figured, after all the walking we had done, we'd burn off some of it.  This is known as wishful thinking at it's best.

Dinner - Southwest Roasted Chicken (pg. 256) and sauteed fresh broccoli.  The chicken was extremely tasty, but the sauce didn't work out as the recipe indicated. 

When I went to baste the chicken, there wasn't much in the roaster pan to baste with, so I poured a little chicken stock over it.  So, I think that addition might have screwed up the sauce because I couldn't the pan drippings to get syrupy.  Then, when I spooned it on our plates, it kind of separated.  It tasted good, but it didn't look too appetizing.

Beverages:  I really missed the mark today due to our Harry Potter outing.  Only four 8-ounce glasses of water and one cup of Sleepy Time Tea.

Detox - Day 15

Starting Week 3

The fridge is stocked, and as usual, I like to make a couple big meals on the weekend so I have plenty of leftovers for lunches and dinners throughout the week.  It's a little extra work, but it pays off later.

Breakfast - Zucchini & Green Tomato Fritta (pg. 209) and two turkey sausage links.  I've never had a fritta before, but this was another outstanding breakfast dish.  It makes 6 servings, so that will last us for the next two breakfasts.  The portions are smaller than I thought they'd be based on other Suzanne Somers meals, so I'd recommend adding an extra egg if you're sharing this meal with a man, like I am.  They need a little more to eat.

The caramelized onions and shredded zucchini, mixed with eggs, were very satisfying as a breakfast entree.  And, if you can find them, the green tomatoes mixed with heirloom, were crisp and fresh and made a surprisingly enjoyable side dish.

Preparation Tip:  When chopping the fresh basil and tarragon for this dish, cut up additional herbs for the Tomato Soup later in the day.  It's a timesaver to cut it once, but use it twice. 

Also, while the frittata is cooking, prepare the roasted tomatoes for the soup and pop them in the oven when the frittata comes out.  They roast for 2 hours.  Plus, if you really want to plan ahead, I'm making a pork tenderloin later in the week that calls for some roasted tomatoes.  So, slice up 6 extra and season them will EVOO and 1/4 teaspoon artificial sweetener and a little salt.  Then store them in the refrig until Wednesday.

AM Snack - I exercised a couple hours after breakfast, so I was hungry for some fresh pineapple chunks and 1 ounce of Maqui Juice.

Lunch - Chicken Patty Picata (pg. 258) and Roasted Tomato Soup (Pg. 166, from the 'Slim and Sexy Forever' book by Suzanne Somers).

The chicken patties call for ground chicken, which I've never used before.  They were good, but not as flavorful as I would have liked.  But, they were extremely moist.  I think I'd add some spices to them to zip them up a bit, as they were a little bland.

A Warning About The Soup - Before you attempt the tomato soup, I need to warn you that it takes a long time to make and you don't get much.  It only makes about five 1/2 cup servings.  But, if you're up to the challenge, it's out of this world.  In fact, my husband said he could eat a gallon of it.

After you roast the tomatoes for 2 hours, there's some prep work, and then it's on the stove for 55 minutes.  You'll save some time if you chop the herbs while preparing today's breakfast.  It's the best tomato soup I've ever had, and you'll be tempted to eat the whole pot.  It's that good.  It kind of tastes like a hearty, marinara sauce.

PM Snack - Piece of cheese.

Dinner - Chopped Antipasto Salad (pg. 226).  This meal was a let-down, and felt like something you'd eat on a diet.  Mainly, it was because of the arugula.  I've never had it before and I found it hard to chew.  The leaves are thicker than most lettuce varieties and a little bitter.  But, it gives you a burst of antioxidants.  The addition of escarole leaves also gives it a bitter taste.  I think I'd use one or the other, and add a more traditional lettuce to balance the taste out. 

The herb grilled chicken, that you slice and put on top, was easy to prepare and quite delicious on it's own.  But, in this salad you missed the flavor of the chicken because the greens were so overpowering.

While it wasn't awful, I'm not really looking forward to having it again on Tuesday.  But, I hate wasting food.  And, dark green leafy veggies are supposed to be really good for you.  So, that's something, too.

Weekly Planner for Detox Week 3 - Meal plan is for 2 adults

Day	Meals	Prep
Saturday Day 15	B- (Exercise) Zucchini & Green Tomato Frittata (Pg. 209) and turkey sausage links L - Chicken Patty Picata (pg. 258) and Roasted Tomato Soup (Slim & Sexy pg. 166) D - Chopped Antipasto Salad (pg. 226) Snacks: AM - fruit PM - cheese	I made 6 servings of the frittata and chicken patties. I made 4 servings of the soup and antipasto salad.
Sunday Day 16	B- Leftover Frittata from day 15 and sausage L - Pea soup at Universal/Harry Potter D - Southwest Roasted Chicken (pg. 256) and sautéed broccoli Snacks: AM - fruit PM - Butterbeer	The roasted chicken made 8 servings or 4 meals.
Monday Day 17	B- (Exercise) Leftover Frittata and sausage from Day 15 L - Chicken Patty & Tomato Soup from day 15 D - Beef Tenderloin Medallions (pg. 272) and sautéed mushrooms and onions (pg. 235) and small salad Snacks: AM - fruit PM - granola bar	I made 2 servings of the beef tenderloin.
Tuesday Day 18	B- Quinoa L - Chopped Antipasto Salad D - Chicken Patty and sautéed brocolli Snacks: AM - apple PM - cheese	Make enough quinoa for 2 meals.
Wednesday Day 19	B- (Exercise) Quinoa L - leftover Antipasto salad from day 15 D - Leftover Roasted chicken from day 16 and sautéed yellow squash Snacks: AM - fruit PM - skinless almonds	The antipasto salad actually yielded 5 servings instead of 4.
Thursday Day 20	B- Fruit smoothie L - Roasted chicken from day 16 and cauliflower D - Chipotle-glazed Pork & Candied Tomato Salsa (Slim & Sexy pg. 254) AM snack - whole grain bread & peanut butter PM snack - hard boiled egg	I made 8 servings of the pork & salsa. I will use 4 servings for the upcoming week.
Friday Day 21	B- (Exercise) Fruit; quinoa L - Leftover Roasted chicken from day 16 and salad D - Chipotle-glazed Pork & Salsa from day 20 and roasted cauliflower Snacks: fruit for both equaling 3 servings

Detox - Day 14 (weigh-in day)

It's Weigh-In Day

This week, the scale didn't move as much as last week, but at least it still moved.  My husband lost 3 pounds, for a total of 10.  And I lost 1/2 pound, for a total of 4.  After only 2 weeks, I'm very happy with the results.  And, the food has been very tasty and satisfying.  Without too much work.  Just a little planning and making extra for leftovers.

I've also got my menu planned for week three, so I need to get to the grocery store.  I'm picking up some fish for tonight's meal and everything else I'll need for the week.  I think it's going to be another satisfying week with a couple new twists, for me.

Breakfast - I made a fruit salad with all the leftover fruit; waited 20 minutes, then had the last slice of whole grain bread.  I toasted it and spread some natural peanut butter on it.

AM Snack - Wasn't hungry.

Lunch -  We finished the last of the White Bean Soup, however there was still enough for another bowl.  So, I put it in the freezer for an emergency meal down the road.

PM Snack - Prosciutto and Asparagus Roll-ups from yesterday.  My husband reported that he loved the taste, but couldn't get past the smell of uncooked proscuitto.  So, that was a deal breaker for him, as he won't eat it again.

Dinner - Pan-Roasted Catfish with Thyme Butter Sauce (pg. 242).  Two things you need to know about this recipe.  First, I swapped out catfish for sole, as our fish department didn't have any today.  And, second, while in Detox we can't have the white wine, so I swapped it out with the juice from a fresh lemon. 

I'm not one to use Tartar Sauce, or any sauce on my fish.  So, this was new for me.  And, second, I usually add some kind of coating or seasonings when I prepare fish, and this recipe doesn't call for that, so I was a little worried.  All you put on the fish is salt and pepper and fry it in extra-virgin olive oil. 

I'm happy to report that the sauce with the fish was and eye-opening experience for me.  I felt like a gourmet cook because it was extra wonderful.

Beverages:  seven 8-ounce glasses of water and 1 cup Sleepy Time Tea.

Detox - Day 13

Today's Cleaning Out The Fridge Day!

One of my pet peeves is wasting food and money.  Especially now, with the economy issues facing all families.  So, today it's all about leftovers. 

I'm finding that some of Suzanne's recipes make more than indicated, which is good and a little bad.  It's good because we're stretching our money, but by day 3 or 4, we're starting to get tired of eating the same thing.  We lead busy lives, as do most of you, so you have to make a choice.  Do you want to make the time to prepare an extra dish, or is convenience more important?  I will usually choose convenience.  So the choice is yours. 

Breakfast - Today's an exercise day, so I started with 2 clementines and one ounce of Maqui Juice.  Then, after exercising I toasted a piece of whole grain bread and spread some natural peanut butter on it.  What a treat, because I just love bread.  Reminder: this meal counts as all 3 carb servings for the day.

AM Snack -  I got a late start today, due to my greeting card business demands, so I skipped this snack since lunch is only an hour away.

Lunch -  2 cups of leftover Tuscan White Bean Soup.  That's a lot of soup to eat, but it's been wonderful.

PM Snack - Prosciutto and Asparagus Roll-Ups (found on Suzanne's web site).  For those of you watching your salt, I wouldn't recommend this snack.  But for me, it's a special treat because I love salt.  However, I do watch my intake.  A serving size is 2 thin slices of prosciutto, then spread a little soft goat cheese on each, top with 2 steamed asparagus spears, and roll.  OMG!  I loved it.

Dinner -  This is a bonus dinner because we had one extra serving, each, of the leftover ginger chicken and mozzarella turkey burgers.  My husband chose the chicken, and I made a side salad from all the leftover veggies.

Beverages - seven 8-oz. glasses of water and a cup of Sleepy Time Tea.

Detox Day 12

Here's My Story ... Sad But True

I was probably 10 pounds overweight when I began to experience the thrills of menopause!  When my period stopped, the hot flashes hit me like a marshmallow over an open fire.  So, I began HRT and the weight began to pack on, almost right before my eyes.  After six months, I had shockingly gained almost 20 pounds.  With 30 pounds to lose, I desperately looked for a diet and exercise plan to help me.

I tried several, but none of them gave me the results I wanted.  It was painful checking the scale, week after week, with no movement.  Even though I was following the plan very carefully, with very little cheating, I'd lose about one pound per month.  So, when one plan fizzled out, I became frustrated and quit.  Then, I'd gain a couple pounds and try another plan.  However, to my surprise, I discovered I enjoyed exercising.  For me, it was just finding the right program that made me want to come back for more.

After almost 3 years and quitting HRT, I finally lost my 30 pounds.  It was a long, hard battle, but I had won.  Or, so I thought.   About a year ago, I began having trouble with my knee.  It would swell up, and click when I walked.  For a while, I layed off of exercising.  But, when I resumed, the swelling and clicking began.  Then, it got so bad that I had to have my knee drained.  Yuck!

My doctor told me there was no tear, but the knee cap was jagged.  So, he recommended that I stop doing lunges, squats, and repetitive movements.  Well, for me, that's when exercising became dull, and I lost interest.  Pretty soon, I starting eating poorly, and you guessed it, I gained weight.

Finally, out of desperation, I went back to the doctor 6 months later.  And, a second MRI showed a tear, and I had surgery last November.  Once I finished therapy in early January, I was looking for another diet plan and found Suzanne Somers.  Her plan made sense to me.  Prior to starting I weighed myself, as I had been avoiding it for many months.  That's denial at it's best.  To my horror, and shock, I had gained all of those hard-earned 30 pounds back.

Like many of you, I know I have an uphill battle.  So, I'm really hoping this plan makes a difference, and decided to share my journey with women who have experienced the same kind of set-backs.  Mainly due to being over 40.  I invite you to take the ride with me, as I'd love some company.

Today's eating plan - Today is an easy day, as all of my meals are leftovers.  Yeah!  No prep work or dirty pots and pans.

Breakfast - A fruit smoothie using 1-1/2 cups of fruit and a splash of juice.

AM Snack -   I always seem to be hungry for this snack after having my delicious fruit smoothies for breakfast.  But, that's what these snacks are for, so I one oz. of cheese.

Lunch - Leftover turkey burgers from Day 8, and a side salad.

PM Snack - 10 skinless almonds seasoned with sea salt and vinegar.

Dinner - Leftover ginger chicken from Day 10 and steamed asparagus, seasoned with Montreal Chicken Grill Mates by McCormick.

Beverages:  fell short today; six 8-ounce glasses of water and a cup of Sleepy Time Tea.

Detox - Day 11

Another try at Quinoa

When I made the quinoa on Day 9, I reported that it wasn't satisfying, but could be a contender to replace oatmeal.  Which I hate with a passion.  I had some leftover quinoa because the box didn't indicate how much it made; only preparation instructions.  Since I hate to waste food, and the stuff is pretty expensive, I decided to add some artificial sweetener after I re-heated it.  And, it did help.  In fact, I feel better about buying the agave nectar mentioned in Suzanne's recipe for Breakfast Quinoa (pg. 215 in Sexy Forever).  I'll pick it up at the end of the week.  Stay tuned for my review.

Breakfast - 1 cup of fruit salad, exercised for 40 min., then ate the doctored up, reheated quinoa.

AM Snack - Quinoa is very filling, so I wasn't hungry for a snack.

Lunch - Leftover Tuscan White Bean Soup from Day 9.  It got a little dried out, so I added a little water when I re-heated it.  Those beans are filling, too.  But, oh so good for you!

PM Snack - I needed something sweet, so I had a peach since I only had 2 servings of fruit for breakfast.

Dinner - Steak Fajita Bowls (recipe on SuzanneSomers.com web site). 
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this recipe, so I cut it in half to make 2 servings instead of 4.  But, it surprised me and was very good.  Even without the typical fajita spices and the tortilla wrap.

You get a lot of meat, so it's quite filling.  My budget couldn't afford the tenderloin steaks, so I replaced it with the prepared stir-fry strips that are found in the meat department.  I'm also not used to adding sliced mushrooms when I make fajitas, but it was a really nice addition.  It complimented the beef and gave the dish some heft.  Basically, you saute chopped peppers (I used red), onions, and sliced mushrooms.  Add the meat until it's cooked thru.  Transfer to bowls and top with shredded cheese and fresh salsa.

I'd definitely eat this again, but I did miss the tortilla.

Beverages:  seven 8-ounce glasses of water and a cup of Sleepy Time Tea.

Detox - Day 10

One-Third Of The Way There

Ten days into the 30-day Detox and I have to tell you, I'm feeling pretty good.  So far, I've enjoyed all the food, and I'm learning some new food preparation tricks.  It's amazing to me how a couple, simple little changes, can enhance the complexion of basic food items.  So, I'm proof that you can teach an old dog, new tricks.

Breakfast - A cup of fruit, then I exercised, and afterwards I had a slice of toasted whole grain bread with natural peanut butter.  I'm lucky because my store grounds the peanuts right there into peanut butter, and the result is fabulous.

AM Snack - Felt hungry, so I had a hard boiled egg.

Lunch - Leftover Turkey Burger from Day 8, plus a side salad.

PM Snack - one clementine

Supper - Cilantro Ginger Lemon Chicken (pg. 252 in Sexy Forever) and green beans.  First of all, this dish was divine, even though I made a couple little mistakes.  There are a lot of steps to the recipe, plus you make a sauce, which isn't my strong suit.

You start by browning chicken (legs and thighs) in olive oil.  This wasn't clear to me in the recipe, so I cooked it longer than I should have;  all you do is brown the chicken and take it out of the pan.  You finish cooking it later ... duh!

Then, in the same pan, you put a bunch of ingredients in the pan.  Basically, you add them a couple at a time, with 2 minute increments in-between.  I advise you to have everything cut up, and the spices pulled out of the pantry before you begin.  The oil is hot, and it's easy to burn things like the garlic and fresh ginger.  Mine got a little toastie looking for this reason.

The recipe calls for 2 bunches of cilantro leaves, and I was tempted to buy one.  It sounded like it would be over-powering, but I was wrong.  Once you add them to the pan, they wilted down so fast my head spun.  Mine never got crispy like the recipe said it would, mainly because I was afraid I'd burn everything else.  But I kept going. 

Finally, you put the chicken back into the pan, then add the juice of one lemon and a cup of water.  Put the lid on, lower the heat to simmer, and let it go for 30 minutes (turning the meat after 15 min.).  I was so worried that my chicken would be dry because I cooked it almost completely during the browning ONLY step.

So, I'm thinking "great" I've ruined this dish.  The chicken's overcooked and some of my ingredients are a little burned.  But, a miracle happened.  It was simply delicious.  The sauce was a wonderful golden brown, and the chicken was so tender it fell of the bone.  I wonder how much better it would have been had I not made so many mistakes!

Detox - Day 9 (Quinoa)

What's Quinoa?

The thought of eating oatmeal or cottage cheese always triggers my gag reflex, so I don't eat them.  Unfortunately for me, all diets plans include oatmeal or cottage cheese as breakfast options.  So, my choices are limited.  However, Suzanne Somers raved about quinoa and how she loves it for breakfast, and as a side dish.

Quinoa is a whole grain with a low glycemic index and it's gluten free.  It also contains the nutrients of a complete protein, meaning it has all 8 essential amino acids.  It's a good source for lysine, which the body uses for tissue growth, and packed with magnesium, iron, and phosphorus.  Sounds good, right?  So I bought some.  I found it in the gluten-free section of my grocery store.

Breakfast - Quinoa is prepared similar to oatmeal; one part quinoa to two parts water.  Bring it to a boil, then cover, turn the heat to simmer, and let it go for 15 minutes.  One serving is one cup cooked quinoa.  Then, add a splash of non-fat milk and some artificial sweetener.

I was really hoping it was going to be delicious as Suzanne described, but it wasn't.  It wasn't horrible by any means, it was just bland.  Kind of like eating rice with nothing on it, but quinoa has a mild nutty crunch to it.  We tried adding a little cinnamon to it, and it helped.  As I ate my bland quinoa, I just kept thinking about all the health benefits.  Maybe it's just an acquired taste, but in my book it was better than oatmeal.

Suzanne has a Breakfast Quinoa recipe in her book (pg. 215) and she adds goat milk and agave nectar to it.  She also adds 1/4 teas. salt to the water.  I'm going to try this the next time, as I've got a whole box.  I'm not sure what agave nectar is, so when I find out, I'll pass the info to you.

AM Snack -  I was craving some fruit after our breakfast, so I had 2 clementines along with 1 ounce of Maqui Juice.

Lunch - We had the Chopped Italian Salad from yesterday.

PM Snack - 10 almonds with the skins off and seasoned with sea salt and vinegar.  What a treat!

Dinner - Because we're from Wisconsin, we're huge Packer fans.  But, since we're in the Detox phase, we couldn't celebrate the Super Bowl with the customary treats and snacks.  I'm proud to say, we didn't cheat.  And, to be honest, it wasn't too hard because our meals have been so satisfying.

However, in honor of the Super Bowl, I made my own Souper Bowl.  Get it?  We had a delicious bowl of Tuscan White Bean Soup (I found it on Suzanne's web site).  The serving size was two cups, so it was quite filling. 

We also changed our meals around a little bit and had our dinner a couple hours early.  Then, we had our PM snack at 7:30 while the Super Bowl was on.  It worked great because the soup kept us feeling full with all those white beans and all the added spices/veggie ingredients.

Correction:  I originally found this recipe for Tuscan Bean Soup on the SS web site, but I discovered, too late, that this is a level 1 recipe.  My recipe did not have levels indicated on it, so I assumed it was for Detox.  It has now been corrected on the SS web site, so I couldn't live with myself if I didn't pass the info on to you.

Detox - Day 8

A New Week

Okay, I've planned my weekly meal plan and stocked the refrigerator this morning with everything I need for the week.  So, I'm all set to go.  I find it helpful to do it this way so I stay out of the grocery store, which eliminates temptation.  Also, it helps me stay on track.  If I don't have things in the house, then I get into trouble.

Breakfast - We had a repeat of yesterdays sinful creations so I could use up the last of the bacon.  And, I'll be honest, it gave me the perfect excuse to eat those fried eggs and bacon, again.  However, instead of zucchini I sliced a tomato, sprinkled some Italian seasonings on them and put them in the micro for 40 seconds.

AM Snack -  As with yesterday, I wasn't hungry.

Lunch - Chopped Italian Salad (pg. 172 in 'Sexy Forever").  First, I made my own vinegar and oil dressing (enough for 2 days).  Suzanne would be proud.  Then, to the chopped greens I added small chunks of Genoa salami (I had the deli department slice it 1/4" thick), fresh mozzarella, green onions, and pepperoncini.  I didn't know what pepperoncini was, so I did an online search.  Basically, it's an Italian or Greek sweet pepper and you can find them in a jar next to the olives and pickles. 

This lunch was out of this world, mainly because I love Genoa.  And the homemade dressing was simply devine.  It really made a difference over store bought stuff.

PM Snack - one clementine and 1 ounce of Maqui Juice.

Dinner - Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Burger (pg. 259) and canned green beans.  I chose this meal so I'd be sure to use up the fresh mozzarella.  Basically you chop some fresh basil, mix it into the ground turkey, make patties, and then stuff a good chunk of mozzarella into the center.  I made enough for 3 meals (three 6-ounce patties and three 8-ounce patties for the hubby).  Again, this meal was a home run.  I did add a teaspoon of sugar-free ketchup on the side, and dipped each piece into it.

As a side note, I felt full, and very satisfied all day.  So far, I haven't been tempted by cookies or other treats.  But, after yesterday's weigh-in, I'm really motivated.

Detox Level - Days 8 through 14 (meals are for 2 adults)

Day	Meals	Prep
Saturday Day 8	B- fried eggs in butter, bacon, sliced tomato L - Chopped Italian salad (pg. 172 Sexy Forever book) D - Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Burger and steamed broccoli (pg. 259 Sexy Forever) AM snack - skipped PM snack - clementines	Make enough Turkey Burgers for 3 meals or 6 servings. Approx. 6 oz. for me and 8 oz. for hubby each serving. Plan 4 servings of the Italian salad; 2 meals.
Sunday Day 9	B - Quinoa (pg. 169) (exercise) L - Leftover Chopped Italian salad (Day 8) D - Tuscan White Bean Soup (2 cups) found on SS web site AM snack - Clementine PM snack - 10 skinless almonds	The bean soup made more than expected. I planned on 3 meals or 6 servings, but it made 4 meals.
Monday Day 10	B - fruit; then exercised. Whole grain toast with natural peanut butter L - Leftover Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Burger (Day 8) and salad D - Cilantro Ginger Chicken (pg. 252 Sexy Forever book) and canned green beans AM snack - hard boiled egg PM snack - clementine	I planned on 2 meals or 4 servings of the Ginger Chicken. But, it made one extra serving.
Tuesday Day 11	B - Fruit salad; then quinoa L - Leftover Tuscan Bean Soup from Day 9 D - Steak Fajita Bowls (SS web site) Skipped AM snack PM snack - small peach	Make one meal of the Steak Fajita Bowls.
Wednesday Day 12	B - Fruit smoothie; exercised. Then quinoa L - Leftover Mozzarella Turkey Burger and sliced tomato w/basil from Day 8 D - Leftover Ginger Chicken (Day 10) and side salad AM snack - cheese PM snack - 10 skinless almonds	Leftover day.
Thursday Day 13	B - fruit; exercised. Then wholegrain toast with natural peanut butter L - Leftover Tuscan White Bean Soup from Day 9 (2cups) D - Hubby had leftover Ginger Chicken (Day 10) and I had leftover turkey burger (Day 8) and a salad AM snack - skipped PM - prosciutto & asparagus roll-ups (SS web site)	I was planning on making fish today, but moved it to tomorrow because I had one serving each of the left over turkey burger and ginger chicken. So, we got a bonus leftover day! Yeah!
Friday Day 14	B - Fruit salad; wait 20 minutes. Then, whole grain toast with natural peanut butter L - Leftover Tuscan soup (Day 9) D - Pan Roasted Catfish with Thyme & Lemon Butter Sauce (pg. 242 Sexy Forever) and brocolli PM Snack - prosciutto & asparagus roll-ups

Detox - Day 7 (weigh-in day)

Drum Roll Please . . .

Fridays will be my weigh-in days, and I am proud and happy to say that I lost 3-1/2 pounds after one week on the Sexy Forever Plan.  My husband, who is also on the plan with me, lost 7 pounds.  Yikes!  To say we're delighted, is an understatement when we considered the fabulous, and sometimes sinful food we got to eat this week.

I have tried many diet plans (at least 7) over the past 10 years, and usually after the first week I lost 2-3 pounds, and on one plan, none.  The second week I usually lost 1-2 pounds, the third week 1 pound, and then it stops.  After that, I usually averaged 1-2 pounds per month.  Yes, I said 'month'.  I'm really hoping the Sexy Forever Plan can do better.  In fact, I'd be delighted with 1 pound per week.  So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Breakfast -  My hubby had to leave real early this morning and wouldn't be able to eat anything until lunch.  So, I made a breakfast that would keep him feeling full by choosing breakfast option #4; Protein/Healthy Fat/Veggie.

You're not going to believe what we got to eat on this plan.  First, I fried up 4 slices of bacon, (2 for each of us) plus 2 extra slices for our cobb salads at lunch.  While that was cooking I made zucchini ribbons by using a potato peeler to make strips.  Then, I sauteed them in a little bit of olive oil for about 4 minutes.  They looked like hash browns when they were done. 

After the bacon was done, I drained off all but one teaspoon of the grease, and cracked 3 eggs (one for me and 2 for hubby) into the pan.  Can you believe it?!  Suzanne says, when frying eggs, to either cook them in the pan you cooked the bacon in (with a little grease), OR cook them in a little butter.  Wow! 

Then, I learned another trick for making fried eggs.  Maybe you all know about this, but I didn't.  Once the eggs are in the pan, put a lid on it.  The longer you keep it on, the more the yolks cook.  And, the best part, the whites weren't runny.  And the party bonus was the taste.  The bottom and edges were all crispy and sinfully delicious.  We were groaning with every bite.

I will never makes eggs the way I used to, for all these years ... tilting the pan so the whites would run to the sides, in an effort to get rid of the snotty part.  And, most of the time, there was always a little bit that never got quite cooked. 

AM Snack - Who needs a snack after that filling breakfast!  In fact, I had to wait a couple hours before exercising today, as I don't do well on a full stomach.

Lunch - Leftover cobb salad.

PM Snack -  We ate the last of our brown rice cakes and fresh salsa.  Too bad, because I loved this treat.

Dinner - Leftover pork chops and the last of the kale and broccoli; sauteed.

I'm also delighted to report that we cleaned out the refrigerator.  There were no unused veggies or food that was going to spoil.  Yeah!  I hate wasting food.

Beverages:  seven 8-ounce glasses of water and 1 cup of Sleepy Time Tea.

Detox - Day 6

Bananas ... the forbidden fruit

I'm sorry to tell you this, but bananas are not recommended on the Sexy Forever Plan.  According to Suzanne Somers they're an extremely high insulin trigger because they are filled with starch, plus sugar.  So, bottom line, if you eat them they will hinder your weight loss progress.  For us, this was a blow because we eat bananas almost every week.  I even have one of those banana stands on my counter to help keep them from getting brown too fast.  Well, I gave it a little burial service the other day.  So sad.

Breakfast - I had to rush off to an early beauty shop appointment this morning, so I made a quick fruit smoothie, plus my 1 ounce of Maqui Juice.  I used 1 cup of mixed frozen fruit and a splash of pomegranate juice.  Remember, when you eat fruit, you can't eat anything else with it.

AM Snack - Didn't eat one because I had to make a card delivery for my business after my beauty shop appointment and got home later than anticipated.

Lunch -  We finished up the egg salad today.  As I did yesterday, I made it into a salad instead of a wrap.  It still tasted fresh and satisfying.

PM Snack - Since I only had 1 cup of fruit for breakfast, I had a clementine.  Then, about 30 minutes later I was still hungry so I had a slice of cheddar cheese.  Remember, when you eat fruit you have to wait at least 20 minutes before eating something else.  I've found that the "Fruit Only Breakfast Option" leaves me feeling a little hungry later in the day.  Since I didn't have time for a morning snack, I doubled up on the PM snack, which is within the guidelines of the Sexy Forever Plan.

Dinner -  I will admit that I'm not the most creative cook on a daily basis.  Usually, when I make pork chops I throw them in the pan and fry them until they're browned.  But, tonight I made them the Suzanne Somers way and they were fabulous!  Maybe I've just been cooking under a rock, but I've never been told to add olive oil to them.  Jeeze, they've got enough fat coming out of them during the cooking process!

It doesn't make sense, especially when you're dieting, to add more fat.  But, this is healthy fat, according to Suzanne, so I went with it.  Mix together 1 Tbl. olive oil, the juice from 1/2 a lemon, and a teaspoon of thyme (pg. 172 in the book).  Then, get your pan screaming hot, baste one side of the pork chop and place it basted side down in the pan.  Then, baste the top side with the remaining mixture.  Then, turn the heat to medium and let it rip until both sides are browned and the inside is done.

We couldn't believe how moist our pork chops tasted, not to mention the fabulous flavor.  Usually, pork chops tend to be a little dry.  But eating these made us feel guilty and silly at the same time.  Yum-oh!

Oh, and our veggie side dish tonight was fresh cauliflower that I tossed with a little EVOO (extra virgin olive oil),  balsamic vinegar, and marjoram.  I put it in the oven (450 degrees) for 10 minutes, then sprinkled 1/2 cup of fresh Parmesan cheese on it and baked for an additional 5 minutes.  Plain old cauliflower never tasted so good.  What a great compliment to the pork chops.

Beverages: seven 8-ounce glasses of water and 1 cup Sleepy Time tea.

Detox - Day 5

I'm peeing like a garden hose!  Not sure what's going on because I've always been a pretty good water drinker ... usually 6-7 glasses per day.  With the Sexy Forever plan I've been making sure I'm drinking eight 8-ounce glasses, so it's not really that much more.  Maybe it's the Maqui Juice or all those fruits and veggies, but hopefully it will level out soon.

Breakfast - Today was an exercise day, so I started out with an ounce of Maqui Juice and a cup of fresh fruit, did my routine, and then had a BLT without the bacon.  It's so satisfying so I don't mind eating it again.  Plus, I have to use up the bread and tomatoes before they go bad.

AM Snack - Didn't need it as I wasn't hungry.

Lunch - I had leftover egg salad, but I made it into a salad instead.  Maybe I'm just a klutz, but, yesterday it was messy eating it as a lettuce wrap.  The egg salad kept sliding out.  I just broke up some lettuce, scooped out about a cup of egg salad, and stirred it all together.  It was a new twist for me, and darn good!

PM Snack - I feel like I'm having a party for one whenever I eat the brown rice cakes and fresh salsa.  Today, I added a little fresh lemon juice and crushed ice to my water and pretended it was a Margarita.  I love, love, love this snack!

Dinner -  We had something new for dinner tonight.  A cobb salad.  It's listed on page 171 in the Sexy Forever book.  We had enough chicken leftover from Sunday's meal, so I didn't have to make any fresh.  I love that!  Plus, I boiled a couple extra eggs when I made the egg salad, so that was done, too.  All I had to do was slave over the stove making 2 slices of bacon ... can you believe it?  We can have bacon! ! !  The house smelled so good.  And, when my husband came home from work, he looked like he was being led by someone who had a hook in his nose.

For this meal I used 3 oz. of chicken, 1/2 of the hard boiled egg, and 1 slice of bacon to equal my 6 oz. of protein.  Then, I also added a cup of lettuce greens, sliced green onions, a few tomatoes, a sprinkle of cheese, and full-fat salad dressing.  It was heaven!  Every time one of us got a piece of the bacon, we groaned with joy!

Beverages: 7 glasses of water and a cup of Sleepy Time tea.

Detox - Day 4

I have to admit that I'm feeling pretty satisfied with this plan as I start day 4.  The meals have been fairly easy to prepare, and they've been filling.  Last night, I have to confess, that I was craving a cookie with my Sleepy Time Tea, but I got past it by concentrating on the tea.

Breakfast - First, I had my 1 ounce of Maqui Juice, then I tried a fruit smoothie, the Suzanne Somers way.  First, I measured out 1-1/2 cups of frozen fruit (which is the total fruit allotment for the day).  Then, I added a splash (1/3 cup) of pomegranate juice and let it whirl.  It was very flavorful using the juice instead of milk.  I think the milk changes the taste a bit.  Remember, you can't add milk, or anything else with fruit.

AM Snack - For the first 3 days I skipped this because I wasn't hungry.  But, today I was!  I don't know if the all-fruit breakfast choice wasn't fulfilling enough, or if my slow metabolism is kicking in, but I needed a little something.  So, I had a slice of cheddar cheese (1 ounce).

Lunch - Something new today, egg salad wraps.  As I mentioned yesterday, I already boiled the eggs and chopped the celery (2 eggs per serving and 1/2 cup celery per serving).  I made enough for 3 meals so I'd have leftovers.  Then, I added just enough regular mayo to bind it together (don't go crazy with this), plus a splash of white vinegar and a good squirt of mustard.  Plus, salt and pepper.  Each serving is about a cup and I spooned it into 2 lettuce cups; then wrapped it.  While I missed the toasted bread, it was filling and fresh tasting.  But, I love egg salad!

PM Snack - I love chips and salsa, so I had 2 brown rice cakes and fresh salsa ... again!  It's so satisfying and keeps me from craving the bad stuff.

Dinner - Tonight was easy to prepare as we had that delicious roasted chicken from Day 2.  However, I did saute the fresh, leftover kale and broccoli, just as I did on Day 2.  To me, reheated, sauteed veggies just doesn't sound good.  However, today I cut the kale into smaller pieces and sauteed them a couple minutes longer and the result was much better!  Kale is new to me, and prepared this way it's pretty good.

Beverages:  seven 8-ounce glasses of water and 1 cup Sleepy Time Tea

Detox - Day 3

Today's all about leftovers.  So, the good news, not much food preparation today.  However, to get ready for tomorrow, I boiled some eggs for egg salad and put them in the fridge.  I made enough for 3 servings (leftovers), which is 2 eggs per serving.  Plus, I had to make enough for the hubby, so that's 12 eggs total.  I also boiled 2 extra eggs for a salad later in the week.

Breakfast - I had 1 ounce of Maqui Juice and some cherries, my favorite, to start off the day, then I exercised.  Afterwards, I had a BLT without the bacon.  See instructions from Day 1.  Remember, when you eat fruit, wait 20 minutes before you eat the carb portion.

AM Snack -  Skipped it as I wasn't hungry.  Remember, you need to eat 3 meals per day; the snacks are there if you need them or feel hungry.

Lunch - I had leftover taco salad from Day 1.  All I did was reheat the seasoned taco meat and placed it on the veggies.  Yum!  This is really filling and the seasonings made me feel full for a long time.

PM Snack -  2 brown rice cakes topped with fresh salsa.  I love this as a snack because I feel like I'm eating chips and salsa.

Dinner - I reheated the cheeseburger from Day 1.  Then, I made a fresh spinach salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, sliced red onion and full-fat dressing from the dairy case.

Since dinner was a snap to make, I decided to chop the celery for the egg salad I'm making tomorrow, to make morning prep work a little simpler.  And, in keeping with Suzanne's toxin concerns, I purchased for the first time, organic celery.  It was only 20 cents more than regular celery, and to me, it looked greener than the regular, too.  (NOTE:  Allow 1/2 cup celery per serving to meet the veggie quota.)

I don't have the budget to go completely organic like Suzanne suggests, but I will try on some occasions.  In her book, she lists the fruits & veggies that are the highest in toxins, so I think I'll start there.