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.