Level 1 - Day 30

Good Info From An Article In The Paper

I just read an newspaper article entitled "Make Your Body Earn/Burn What It Eats".  It had some good information that I thought I'd pass along.  It started by saying that all calories are not created equal.  Some require more energy to digest, giving you a bigger bang for your buck.  Below are the tips:

1. Eat plenty of low-fat protein.  Digesting these foods requires the most calorie burn.  Just keep the choices healthy:  lean meats, eggs and low-fat dairy.
2. Go for chewy.  Your mouth will have to work harder:  choose whole fruits vs. fruit juice and toss extra beans or broccoli into soups or stir-fries.
3. Drink green tea.  Take advantage of a metabolism-revving substance in tea leaves.
4. Cook more.  Opening a package burns almost zero calories.

Here's our meals for the day:

Breakfast - The last of the multi-grain Cheerios and non-fat milk.

AM Snack - Fruit smoothie.

Lunch - Leftover grilled hamburgers from Sunday and a large salad.

PM Snack - Slice of pepper jack cheese.

Dinner - Chicken Drumsticks with Lemon Slices and Crispy Herbs (page 248 in Sexy Forever) and sauteed scallions and broccoli.

First, I have to say that this recipe didn't turn out quite like Suzanne said it would, but it was still good.  In my opinion, it was a waste of good herbs because they didn't crisp up, and that made them unpleasant to eat.  The recipe calls for 3 to 5 cups of loosely packed fresh herbs that you place on top of the chicken.

I added 6 wings (to the 12 drumsticks) for my mother, because she loves them and didn't want the drumsticks.  Next, you slice up 3 lemons and place them all over the chicken and along the sides.  I added a couple extra slices to account for the wings I added.

Then, bake at 350 degrees for 80 minutes.  When it came out, the lemons made so much juice it covered the chicken and made the herbs limp.  Nothing was crispy and we ended up throwing out the herbs.  I almost cried.

However, the chicken was very moist, but not what I was expecting.  I also think the lemons overpowered the herbs and didn't give them a chance to properly flavor the chicken.

As a personal note to those who know my mother, she was NOT Happy that her precious wings were soggy.  She likes them extremely browned and crispy.  I'll probably hear about it until the day she leaves.  Aarrggghhh!

Level 1 - Day 29

Leftovers Saved The Day!

As I mentioned earlier, my finicky mother is visiting for one month.  She's a pistol, too.  I'm starting to plan meals for next week, and everything I show her results in a scrunched up nose.  Which means, she's not feeling the love of Suzanne's recipes.

Thankfully, I have leftover pizza, brats, and hamburgers from the weekend, to help bridge the gap between Suzanne's meals.

I finally gave up and let her eat the cereal she likes for breakfast.  Plus, she also enjoys toast or English Muffins.  Two lethal items for me to have in the house because I love bread of any kind.  So far I haven't had any ... but they keep lurking at me like the geico commercials.

Then, for lunch she usually has a sandwich with her favorite, spiced ham.  I literally have to divert my eyes because I love a good sandwich.  She's really challenging me.  But, we made a pack, and she's off the "Sexy Forever" hook as far as breakfast and lunch goes.  But, dinner is another matter.  So, we'll see how it goes later in the week because we have leftovers right now.

Breakfast - Fruit, then I exercised.  Afterwards, I had multi-grain Cheerios and non-fat milk.

Snack - Slice of cheese.

Lunch - The last of the Stuffed Bell Peppers from Day 24.  Plus, a small salad.  My mother had leftover pizza.  Aarrggghhh!

PM Snack - Hard boiled egg.

Dinner - We had leftover hamburgers, but I Did Not have a bun this time.  I topped it with lettuce, a tomato slice, and a little bit of sugar free ketchup.  And, on the side, we had sauteed zucchini slices in EVOO with a little Grill Mates seasoning by McCormick.  Needless to say, my mother had her hamburger on a bun and didn't touch a bite of the zucchini, but claimed the tomato slice was her veggie.  Really?  One slice! 

I NICELY pointed out that she hadn't eaten any veggies all day, and tried to convince her to eat 2-3 slices, but it went on deaf ears.  However, my dear husband said, "Can I have her portion of the zucchini?"  And, with that said, my mother gave me the look ... which translated means ... I love my son-in-law because he's not mean to me.

End of story.

Level 1 - Day 28

I Fell Off The Wagon - Big Time

I only have two nephews, and when one of them come for a visit I have to spoil them.  It's impossible not to.  Especially since we don't have children of our own.  Consequently, our nephews are the love of our lives.  Plus, by marriage, we have the sweetest and most adorable niece in the world.  Or, at least in our world.

Food-wise, the day started off poorly and went down hill from there.  I tried to resist, but I was weak.  Wait until you see what we ate today.  Check it out.

Breakfast - Bacon, turkey sausage, and an egg puff.  This dish looks like one of those German puffed pancakes, but it's egg based.  It's made with milk, flour and eggs.  Then, instead of syrup you sprinkle powdered sugar all over it because it's more of an egg dish than a pancake.  As a side note, my nephew asked for maple syrup but I don't keep it in the house anymore.  So, I gave him some Agave Nectar and he loved it!

AM Snack - Pineapple.

Lunch - Home made pizza using a white flour dough!  Oh-me-oh-my!  I tried to healthy it up by making Suzanne's sweet tomato sauce to eliminate some sugar.  Plus, I topped it with turkey pepperoni and Canadian bacon (which aren't too bad), and mushrooms and mozzarella.  Then, for added naughtyness, black olives.

I was only going to have one slice, but I weakened and had 2-1/2 slices.  And, I loved every biteful.  Plus, I had a Key Lime Martini, to boot!!!  I don't even want to look at the scale this Friday.

PM Snack - What's a girl to do when her niece and nephew want to go for ice cream at Florida's famous Tasty Treat?  The place is even shaped like a giant ice cream cone!  And you know we couldn't just sit there and watch them eat ice cream.  Now, that would just be rude.  So hubby and I joined the fun and split a Heath Bar Twirl ....  yummo!  Plus, I should mention that it got to 93 degrees today, so it tasted even better.

Dinner - We grilled hamburgers and brats.  And of course buns.  Plus, I made a big salad with all kinds of good veggies.

I had every intention of having a hamburger, without the bun.  But an alien hand, that mysteriously became attached to my arm, picked up one of the brats in a bun.  And then, my newly acquired mechanical mouth opened . . . and down went the most delicious, perfectly charred brat I ever tasted.  It probably wasn't the best I've ever had, but when you're not supposed to have something, it always tastes like the best, doesn't it?

To make up for it, I ate an extra portion of the salad.  I probably should have eaten the whole bowl.

Dessert - I'm proud to say that I did resist the homemade chocolate chip cookies I made for them.  And, I slipped the rest in their luggage to take home.  So, at least they're gone.

However, there's some leftover pizza.  And, that's going to be a problem because you know how I hate wasting food.  Want to guess what's for supper tomorrow?

Level 1 - Day 27

More Company Arriving Today!

My handsome nephew and his bride are coming for a weekend visit today.  While it's wonderful spending time with family we don't see very often, it's also a challenge.  For me, it's so hard not to roll out the red carpet and spoil them with lots of food treats.  Plus, I like the treats, too. 

It's times like this that I feel the most challenged ... and tempted.  I want to make some of the childhood dishes I made when we lived near my family in Wisconsin.  Celebrating with food was a big part of our get-togethers.  As I'm sure it is for you, too.

While we did cheat a little today, tomorrow will be the big test.  Stay tuned to see how I do because I can feel myself weakening.  Old habits die hard.

Breakfast - Scrambled eggs with cheese, zucchini and onions.  Plus, 1 link of turkey sausage.

AM - Watermelon.

Lunch - Leftover Stuffed Bells (from Day 24) and leftover roasted cauliflower (from Day 24).  We added a good spoonful of the sweet tomato sauce and heated.  Then, topped it with the shredded Monteray Jack cheese for the last 30 seconds.  It was a big improvement and added the extra flavor the dish lacked.

PM Snack - 10 pistachios.

Dinner - Our nephew and his wife took us out to dinner for our birthdays to our favorite restaurant.  It's called Season's 52 and we like it for two reasons:  every entree on the menu is 450 calories or less and the menu changes with the foods that are in season at the time. 

Also, they fill fancy shot glasses with their delicious dessert selections (there are 12 to choose from).  You get 3-4 bites, and none of them are over 125 calories.  Just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.  I had stuffed avocado shrimp with asparagus, and the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, decorated with yellow raisins.  Plus, a glass of wine.  Hey, it was my birthday celebration!  And I enjoyed every biteful without feeling guilty.

It was a delightful evening, and especially memorable because we were with family.

Level 1 - Day 26 (weigh-in day)

It's Weight-In Day!

I am delighted, and still amazed that the scale moved again this week.  The Sexy Forever Plan is awesome!  Each week I expect the scale to stay the same, but it keeps moving.  In fact, I have to weigh myself several times because I can't believe it.

This week I lost one more pound, making a total of ... drum roll ... please ... 12 pounds.  It's a big milestone for me because I have never been on a plan before, where after 8 weeks I've lost this much.  In fact, the best I ever did on any plan, and I've tried many, is 12 pounds in SIX MONTHS!!!!!!

My husband lost one pound, too.  Making a total of 21 pounds.  Which means he only has 9 pounds to go in order to reach his goal.  I should also mention that he is beginning to cheat more regularly.  Each evening, with our cup of tea, he has a couple graham crackers, and he won't give up his two cocktails on Friday nights.  Plus, a beer after mowing the lawn on Saturday.

We're both so thrilled with our results.  And, quite regularly, my husband thanks me for all the effort I have put into our meals.  Which I appreciate.  Plus, he's looking pretty darn good these days.

Breakfast - Multi-grain cherrios and non-fat milk.

AM Snack - watermelon.

Lunch - Last of the leftover turkey chili and leftover kale.  This soup just got better and better each time I ate it.

PM Snack - Pepper jack cheese.

Dinner - Stir fried white shrimp (in the shells) and sauteed zucchini ribbons (SS web site).  For the shrimp, preheat a frying pan, then drizzle it with a little EVOO.  Add the shrimp, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.  Saute for a few minutes, then turn over.  The shrimp are done when they curl up.

Peel and eat.  Yum!  I did use a tiny bit of store-bought shrimp sauce, so I cheated a little bit.  And for those of you who want a "mom report", she ate everything I made today.  Yeah!  But, she loves shrimp, so that was easy.

Level 1 - Day 25

Here's A Custom Order

One of the members on the Suzanne Somers, Sexy Forever, web site requested that I create a custom birthday card for her granddaughter.  It turned out so cute that I had to share it with you.

Ordinarily, Sugar Notes doesn't carry children's greeting cards.  So, this was a little bit of a challenge for me.  However, it was great fun playing paper dolls.  Thank you, LadyH, for taking me back to my childhood.

If you'd like to see the complete line of Sugar Notes

go to:  www.SugarNotesCards.com

Breakfast - Fruit, then waited 20 minutes.  Then, the last of the Kashe Whole Wheat Puffs and non-fat milk.  This box lasted forever, as my husband wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

AM Snack - Hard boiled egg.

Lunch - Leftover chili from Day 21.  Plus, leftover kale from last night.

PM Snack - One Whole Grain Wasa Crisp and fresh salsa from my grocery store dairy case.

Dinner - Leftover No Noodle Lasagna (from Day 23) and roasted cauliflower.  I have to mention that I didn't think the lasagna tasted as flavorful re-heated.  It was still good, but not as tasty as the first day.  Also, to make the cauliflower, I cut it up then drizzled it with EVOO and balsamic vinegar.  Put it on a cookie sheet and sprinkle it with marjoram.  Roast in a 450 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.  Delicious.

Level 1 - Day 24

My Mother's Here For 4 Weeks

While I dearly love my mother, she is the pickiest food eater I have ever known.  Her motto is, "plain is best".  She doesn't like sauces, or dressings, or mustard, or ketchup, or mayo.  Very few veggies pass her lips.  And, she despises garlic, mushrooms, whole grains, and anything she has never tried before.  Plus, she has a sweet tooth.

To say the least, it will be a challenge preparing meals for the upcoming weeks because she's not very adventurous.  My only hope is the fact that she recently found out she has Type II Diabetes.  So, sugar is out, thankfully.  Plus, her doctor wants her to eat a little healthier.

She is extremely fearful of having to take insulin, so that's my ace-in-the-hole.  Right now she is managing nicely on medication and daily finger pricks.  So, she's open to trying a few things.  We'll see what happens.

Breakfast - Fruit, then I exercised.  Afterwards I had a bowl of Kashe Whole Wheat Puffs and non-fat milk.  Plus, a little SomerSweet.  My mother had Cherrios.

AM Snack - Small organic apple.

Lunch - Leftover Basil Chicken from Day 21 and leftover green beans from last night.  My mother didn't like the pesto under the skin, so we cut it off.  It starts already!

PM Snack - A piece of pepper-jack cheese.

Dinner -  My mother loves green peppers (one of the few veggies she'll eat) so I made Stuffed Bells for 6 (found on SS web site).  Plus, sauteed prosciutto and kale.  I don't have to tell you that my mother didn't even try the kale.

What's nice about this dish is that I could prepare the meat stuffing the night before to save time.  Then, in the morning I stuffed the peppers and let them roast in a slow cooker, on low, for 7 hours.  (I used 2 each of green, red, and yellow peppers.)

While they were very good, they needed a little more flavor.  I think adding additional crushed tomatoes during the last 15-20 minutes would have helped.  As, a lot of the juices flowed to the bottom of the slow cooker.  And, I think 7 hours was too long because the larger peppers fell apart as I was taking them out of the slow cooker.

While I did miss the rice, typically found in stuffed peppers, the addition of mushrooms and canned green chili were a nice change.  When we re-heat the remainder for lunch on Friday, I'm going to add more sauce and a sprinkle of Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick to add a little more punch.

Level 1 - Day 23

Tough Love Regarding Weight Loss

Motivation and weight loss are two tricky concepts when you link them together.  It takes work to lose weight and it takes work to stay motivated.  One, without the other, can lead to falling off the weight loss wagon.

I hope I don't offend anyone by saying that the only way you're going to lose your excess weight is to be honest with yourself about the strength and the core of your motivation.  It's easy to say that you're motivated, or that you want to lose weight.

But, if you find yourself saying things like:

1. The food is too hard to make.
2. I don't like the food.  Or, more specifically, I don't like oatmeal or vegetables.
3. I don't think I can give up carbs.  Or, it's going to be hard to give up carbs.
4. This plan takes too much time.
5. I've been on the plan two weeks, and I've only lost 3 pounds.
6. Or anything else that sounds like the above statements.

Well, I can say this from experience, as I've tried many weight loss plans, that if you're saying or thinking any of the above statements, you will probably fail.  You will not stick with any plan.  I know, I've been there.  The only way you're going to realize your weight loss goal is to go into the plan with a positive attitude because you're going to need true and honest motivation to get you through the hard times.  The days when you're old habits and weaknesses come calling.  It's going to take all the strength you have not to listen to them.

And, if you go into any plan with doubt or any type of negativity, you won't stick with the plan.  My wish for all of you reading my blog today is that you find the path that's right for you.  And then have the courage to stay the course when days get tough.

Breakfast - Leftover Quinoa with non-fat milk and Agave Nectar.

AM Snack - Fruit (love my fruit!)

Lunch - Turkey Chili from Day 21.  This tastes even better after a couple days.  Plus, sliced tomato.

PM Snack - Slice of cheese.

Dinner - No Noodle Lasagna (from SS web site) and fresh green beans sauteed in butter for 5 minutes.  This was a super delicious meal, with a little twist.

First, I have to mention that the lasagna is very putsy and takes some time.  But, most lasagna recipes take time to prepare.    However, I planned ahead and made the Sweet Tomato Sauce (from SS web site) at the same time I made the chili.  Plus, I made an extra two cups and froze it for a future dish.

Next, instead of noodles you make egg crepes.  Lightly beat the eggs, then ladle half into a pre-buttered saute pan, and coat the bottom.  After a minute, flip.  Then cook for one more minute.

You also need a second pan going to saute the onion and garlic.  Then, add lean ground beef.  Once cooked, add the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.

Finally, in a separate bowl mix together Parmesan and ricotta cheese, thawed frozen spinach, and nutmeg.  Then the fun part, you layer half of the ingredients, repeating a second time.  And topping with mozzarella cheese. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  It comes out looking spectacular.  And, the crepes give the lasagna a lighter flavor, but oh so yummy.  The 3 different cheese are spectacular and make you feel like you're cheating.  I highly recommend it, even though it takes some extra planning.

Level 1 - Day 22

Motivation

I think it's important to discuss motivation and weight loss.  With any diet plan, there are always going to be days when you weaken or just find yourself eating something you shouldn't.  Let's face it, we're all going to have those days, but I think it's how you handle those splurges that directly impacts your weight loss success.

It's easy to say, "Well, I ate a candy bar today, and that's okay because I'll just get back on the plan tomorrow."  Sometimes, it's just hard getting back on that horse for all sorts of reasons.  Pretty soon, you're cheating more and more because you've fallen off the horse once or twice.  For many, I think falling off the plan is one of the reasons why people give up.  And, I've been there before.

For me, I think the reason I'm doing so well at sticking to the Sexy Forever plan is for two reasons.  One, the food is very satisfying, and most days it's down right delicious.  I think, when you're happy with what you're eating, everyday, you're more likely to stay with the plan. 

And, second, the scale is moving.  If it only moves one pound each week, or even one-half pound, I feel motivated.  A moving scale helps so much.  I've been on weight loss plans before, where 2-3 weeks would go by and the scale wouldn't budge.  It's discouraging, yes, but you try and convince yourself that your goal isn't all about the weight loss.  It's also the benefits of eating healthier, too.  But sometimes, that thinking isn't enough. 

So, if you're just finding my blog, or feeling a little low because the scale isn't moving, I encourage you to stick with the Sexy Forever plan.  It does work, and if you give the recipes an honest try, you'll find that the food is very satisfying and not too hard to prepare.  All it takes is a little planning and a leap of faith.  And, isn't your health worth it?

Breakfast - Quinoa with nonfat milk and Agave Nectar.  I'm really starting to enjoy this healthy breakfast.  It just took a while for my brain to click in to eating something new.

AM Snack - Fruit

Lunch - Turkey Chili from yesterday and a small salad

PM Snack - One whole grain Wasa crisp and fresh salsa.

Dinner - Basil chicken (from Day 21) plus Stracciatella soup (from Day 21).

I just love leftover days!  No preparation involved.

Level 1 - Day 21

Happy Birthday To My Dear Friend Peggy

And Anyone Else Following My Blog

If you'd like to order this card, or any of my Sugar Notes cards go to:

www.SugarNotes.etsy.com

Here's my meal plan for the day:

Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs with Feta Cheese and Veggies (found on SS web site) and one turkey sausage link.  This ingredients in this dish (chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese) really take plain old scrambled eggs to a new level.  I think it's because of the feta cheese as it adds an extra elegance to the eggs.

AM Snack - one pear.

Lunch - It's the weekend, so I had time to make Basil Chicken with Pesto Sauce (pg. 221) and Stracciatella Soup (from SS web site).

First, I found the idea for the chicken in the notes Suzanne included with the pesto sauce recipe.  She mentioned stuffing it under chicken skin.  And that's what I did because chicken breasts, with the bone, were on sale at our store this week.  Plus, I had enough pesto left over when I made it a week ago.

After stuffing each breast with about 1/2 of a tablespoon of pesto, I salted them and roasted at 375 degrees for one hour.  This pesto is truly awesome, and the flavor it gave to dull chicken was incredible.  In fact, the pesto flavored the chicken right down to the bone.  It was a decadent lunch, fit for a king.  I highly recommend this dish.

I should also mention that the Stracciatella Soup tasted a little like egg drop soup, but with spinach.  It was fast and easy to make with only a few ingredients; chicken broth, fresh spinach, eggs, pepper, and a little bit of Parmesan cheese for garnish.  It didn't disappoint, and I have to admit I wasn't expecting much.  But, it was flavorful and a perfect compliment to our chicken.  Plus, it was fun watching the eggs coagulate in the broth.  Something I've never done before.

PM Snack - Lunch was very filling so we skipped this snack.

Dinner- Turkey Chili (found on SS web site).  Again, this hearty and meaty soup had awesome flavor and really packed a punch.  But, in a good way.

We like our chili to have a little bit of a kick.  And using chili spices, plus canned tomatoes with jalapeno peppers added a different kind of kick.  Which, I think, complimented the turkey spectacularly.  Plus, you add sauteed onions and green bell peppers to the mix.  With a little garnish of shredded cheddar cheese.

If you're leery of trying turkey, instead of ground beef, in your chili, try this recipe.  I think you might agree that you don't miss the beef.



Level 1 - Day 20

We've Been Invited To Friends For Dinner

It's always a little worrisome when you go to friends for dinner because you don't have options.  And, you don't want to be looked at as fussy or difficult.  Then you don't get invited, and that's not good, either.

But, our dear friends, Mike and Debbie, didn't let us down.  They tried, really hard, to make a meal they thought we'd enjoy.  And, one that wouldn't break the scale.  In fact, I think they did an outstanding job considering they didn't know much about our eating plan.

During dinner they asked us about the Sexy Forever Plan and wanted to know more.  I mentioned the fruit rule . . . eat it on an empty stomach, wait 20 minutes before eating something else, and never eat it after dinner.  After that, they got a funny look on their faces.

Well, I have to tell you that their dessert was touching and humorous because they decided not to tempt us with cookies or cake.  But, instead, thought they were being good by serving us raspberries and blackberries ... plain.  No whipped cream, sauce, or anything else to muddy up the shear decadence of the berries. 

But, the good news, and something I forgot about, was Suzanne's exception to the fruit rule.  While in Level 1 you can occasionally have berries for dessert.  So, they actually did the right thing!  I'm going to have to call them to tell them about it because they felt so bad.

Breakfast - Fruit; exercised.  Then, a frozen gluten-free waffle and natural peanut butter.

AM Snack - Slice of cheese.

Lunch - A big salad with hard boiled egg, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.

PM Snack - We waited to have our snack at 5:00 because our friends typically have an hors de voure before dinner.  They served a lime-garlic hummus with baby carrots and celery.  Now, wasn't that thoughtful?

Dinner - Debbie started dinner with a bowl of creamy tomato basil soup, topped with a little shredded cheese. So pretty.  And, I was impressed (without any prompting from us) that they didn't tempt us with crackers or bread.  My weakness.

Then, they followed the soup with an equally beautiful salad with assorted greens, chopped fresh mango that was perfectly ripened, and a mound of slivered chicken coated with a yummy, homemade EVOO dressing concoction.  There were a whole lot of  ingredients packed in that dressing and it was spectacular.  Plus, two lime wedges (to squeeze on the greens) placed very elegantly on their festive dinnerware.  They knocked our socks off!

And, then of course, a beautiful bowl of HUGE blackberries and raspberries.  Yum!  A wonderful way to end a spectacular evening.

NOTE:  I also have to admit to you that I had a glass (and a half) of the bubbly, too.  It was garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds and looked so festive.  Our two friends really pulled out the stops for us.  And, we love them dearly for it.

Level 1 - Day 19 (weigh-in day)

It's Weigh-In Day

After seven weeks on the plan, I'm thrilled and excited to tell you that the scale moved, again.  This is an extraordinary event for me because I've never had the scale move more than three weeks in a row on any other plan.  And, I've tried at least 10 over the past 15 years.

So, I thank you Suzanne Somers for your fabulous food and the years of work you put into coming up with a lifestyle plan that works for women like me over 40!  I lost one pound this week, making a total of 11 pounds.  And, even though my hubby splurged a bit this week, due to his birthday and our out-of-town company, he lost one pound, too.  Making a total of 20 pounds.  He's now two-thirds of the way to his goal, and that's simply amazing.

Breakfast - A pear; then I exercised.  Afterwards I had a gluten-free frozen waffle (by Vans) and natural peanut butter.  I just love this breakfast.

AM Snack - A small, organic apple.

Lunch - The last of the mini-meatloaves and a big, spinach salad.

PM Snack - I found some whole grain Wasa Crisps that taste wonderful with the fresh salsa found in our produce department.  This is such a satisfying snack because it reminds me of tortilla chips and salsa, which is one of my favorite snacks.


 Dinner - The last of the beef stew (from Day 16) and canned organic green beans.

Level 1 - Day 18

Foods That Help Make Your Skin Look Younger

Here's some information I found that may help us over-40-gals put a little glow back into our complexions.  While eating healthy won’t lift a sagging neck or tighten loose jowls, feeding your body with the right components will help it build strong collagen (for thicker skin) and healthy elastic tissue (to keep skin more resilient).

Because collagen and elastic tissue are made of protein, it’s important to get plenty of protein in your diet by including chicken, fish, and lean meats. The major components of collagen are the amino acids glycine and proline, which are found in high concentrations in beef, lamb, and chicken breast. You can also find glycine in pork, quail, bison, and seafood like shrimp, crab, and lobster. Cottage cheese and cabbage are additional good sources of proline.

While I do eat a lot of chicken and lean meats, I'm not always good about including seafood regularly.  So, I'm going to make more of an effort in future weeks.

Breakfast - Grapes; then wait 20 minutes.  Then, Kashi Puffed Wheat with non-fat milk and a sprinkle of SomerSweet.

AM Snack - Hard boiled egg.

Lunch - I love leftovers because they make my life so much easier.  We had the mini-meatloaf from earlier in the week and canned, organic green beans.  Just reheat it all in the microwave.

PM Snack - small organic apple.

Dinner - Leftover Old Fashioned Beef Stew from yesterday, and canned, organic zucchini.  It doesn't get any easier than this to make dinner.

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

Level 1 - Day 17 (Big News)

We're Having A Cholesterol Celebration!

Last year, when my hubby went to the doctor for his annual physical, his cholesterol was a bit high at 214.  Last week he went in for his physical and I'm thrilled and excited to report that his cholesterol level is now ... are you ready? ... drum roll please ...  ta-dah, only 121.  I could hardly believe my eyes when we got the report in the mail today.

I feel like dancing in the street and yelling it from the roof top!  This is amazing and wonderful news!  And, frankly, quite puzzling too with all the EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) and butter and sauteed foods we get to eat on the Suzanne Somers plan.  I have to admit I was a bit concerned.  But those worries got tossed out the window!

My physical is next week, so that will be the true test.  As, I have been on Crestor medication for the past 3 years to help lower my cholesterol.  Everything was fine until I went thru menopause, and all hell broke lose with my health.  So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed and will report my findings when they arrive.

Breakfast - Frozen gluten-free waffle (by Vans) and natural peanut butter.


AM Snack - More grapes.

Lunch - Leftover mini-mini meatloaf from last night and organic canned peas.  Plus, the delicious homemade sweet tomato sauce.

PM Snack - Slice of cheese.

Dinner - Old Fashioned Beef Stew (from SS web site) and organic green beans.  First, I have to say that this dish was more like soup than stew.  As the gravy is more sauce-like, and there's lots of it.

Second, it was delicious.  The meat is very tender and the flavors are robust and filling.  It doesn't taste like the beef stew I'm used to having as it's more tomato-like than beefy.  So, I'm thinking a better name for this stew is Beefy Tomato Soup.

Basically, you sear the beef stew meat first.  Then, dump everything in the crock pot to finish cooking (canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, mushrooms, celery, onions, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and a bay leaf).  It also makes a lot, so I'm going to freeze individual servings for upcoming lunches.

Beverages:  Due to my hectic work schedule today, I came up way short.  Only five 8-ounce glasses and our usual cup of tea at night.

Level 1 - Day 16

Company - Day 2

Feeding kids and staying on any weight loss plan has it's obstacles.  And I sympathize with those of you who have that challenge, everyday.  It's tempting to make separate meals, but then that's double the work.  And, this plan takes some planning and work, all on it's own.

But, I'm here to tell you that I did just that while my company was here.  I made two separate meals.  And, to my amazement, the kids (ages 10, 14, and 16) ate both meals.  And, they seemed to enjoy them, too.  There was no prompting from their parents, either.

I think the reason Suzanne's recipes went over so big was because they're delicious.  And, also, because she incorporates veggies, and more healthy preparations, into wonderful treats for the eyes.  If the food looks inviting, people will eat it.  And, if you don't mention everything that's good about the dish to kids, they really won't know what's in it.  Give it a try and see what happens in your family.

Breakfast - Spinach and Feta Mini Quiche (found on SS web site) and turkey link sausages.  Plus, for the company, scrambled eggs with shredded cheddar cheese and Jimmy Dean sausage patties, plus fruit and orange juice.

First, (for the quiche) I changed the feta to mozzarella cheese because I thought kids would like it better.  Basically, you chop up 6 cups of fresh spinach; then add 1/2 cup of cubed cheese.  Then, whisk together 12 eggs with a dash of milk.  Pour the eggs into the spinach and mix.  Next is the fun part.  Grease cupcake tins (12 units) and divide the egg mixture between them.  Bake for 10 minutes on 350 degrees.  They're done quick and they look oh so cute when displayed on a pretty platter.

I need to mention here, that the quiche presentation doesn't hide the spinach.  You can see it plainly, but these so-called-finicky kids grabbed for them quicker than a blink.  It was amazing.  I especially enjoyed the looks on their parent's faces, too.

Of course, they ate the scrambled eggs, too.  But, the spinach quiche was a hit, as the platter was empty at the end of the meal.  I also enjoyed the cupcake tin cooking method because the food cooked a whole lot faster and they were adorable on the platter.  I got lots of compliments, too.

Our company left around 11:30, so the remainder of our meals went like this:

Lunch - The last of the chicken soup from Day 14.

PM Snack - Grapes that I soaked for an hour in water and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to remove the toxins.

Dinner - I planned ahead and doubled the mini-mini meatloaf because I wanted leftovers.  However, I didn't have time to bake them yesterday because of our company.  So, I just let the mixture sit in the fridge overnight. 

Then, tonight I divided it into the cupcakes tins and made them for supper.  Plus, we had organic canned peas.  And, we have enough leftover for two lunches because it filled 15 cupcake slots.  (I ate 2 and my husband had 3.)

Level 1 - Day 15

Our Company Loved Suzanne's Recipes

As I mentioned yesterday, coming up with a menu that pleases kids and kept us on plan, was challenging.  So, here's what I decided to do.

I made BBQ ribs in the crock pot using store-bought sauce.  It was quick and easy, and always a hit with everyone.  Plus, a big salad.  The plate was licked clean by everyone but me.  I stayed strong and resisted them.

Then, for us, I made Mini-Mini Meatloaf plus Fennel and Leeks au Gratin.  Both recipes were on the SS web site.  And, everyone was happy.  Especially me, because our company, including the kids, ended up eating our stuff, too! 

The fennel and leeks looked just like potatoes au gratin when it came out of the oven.  You put some cheese on top, which made it bubbly and gooy looking.  And, it smelled absolutely delicious, and hard to resist.  Even the adults were leery when I told them what was in it, but people eat with their eyes, and this was visually tempting.  Thanks, Suzanne, for making me look good!

Breakfast - Leftover Quinoa, plus non-fat milk and Agave Nectar.

AM Snack - Fruit

Lunch - Leftover chicken soup from yesterday.

PM Snack - Slice of cheese.

Dinner - Mini-Mini Meatloaves and Fennel and Leeks au Gratin (both from the SS web site).  As I mentioned above, the au gratin was fabulous.  It even won over finicky kids and leery adults.  Plus, making the meatloaf in cupcakes tins was genius!  It only took 20 minutes to bake and they looked adorable.  Really festive for company!  Plus, the homemade sweet tomato sauce was rockin' drizzled on top.

There wasn't a morsel left anywhere and I loved it! 

Level 1 - Day 14

It's Going To Be A Challenging Week!

I'm not holding out much hope for the scale to move this Friday.  We both cheated a bit, (my hubby more than me) this past weekend at Universal.  Plus, our breakfast out yesterday.  I'm sure I had more omelet than I was supposed to.

And, tomorrow, we're going to have some overnight guests, with 3 kids.  And, you know how finicky they can be.  It was tricky coming up with a meal on our plan and one that kids will enjoy, too.

Plus, I like to spoil our company with a few treats.  And, you gotta have cookies for the kids.  So, it's going to be, yet, another challenge for us.  Like most of you, if the food isn't in the house, I do really well.     

Breakfast - Fruit; then I exercised really hard.  Afterwards, I had a bowl of healthy Quinoa with non-fat milk and a little Agave Nectar.

AM Snack - Lots of errands this morning and I forgot to take along a snack.  So, I missed out.

Lunch - Leftover Mozzarella Marinara (from Day 11) and a big salad.  I can't say it enough, this dish was awesome.  I could have eaten double, but I didn't.

PM Snack - Small glass of grape juice.

Dinner - Fast & Easy Chicken Soup (Slim & Sexy pg. 176) topped with Basil and Parsley Pesto (pg. 221 in Sexy Forever).  I've been wanting to make this pesto from day one.  But, the basil wasn't in season and you need a lot.  Well, to my surprise, we found bunches and bunches of beautiful, fresh basil at the Farmer's Market yesterday.

The recipe calls for toasted pine nuts, so be sure to count this as an extra carb.  This meal makes it a 4-carb day for me, which is fine since we're in Level 1.  Probably not the best timing with all the extra stuff we've eaten the past few days, but I just had to try it.  And, it was as delicious as Suzanne said it would be.  It makes a cup, so I froze half for later.  Remember NOT to add the Parmesan cheese if you're going to freeze it.

You place a little dollop of the pesto on the chicken soup, and you don't even miss the noodles.  It takes the soup up a couple notches and it's just beautiful, too.  I also made this soup even faster to prepare by using the leftover rotisserie chicken from yesterday and canned chicken broth.  However, I did let it simmer on the stove for a couple hours to let the flavors meld.

The soup also called for an onion and 2 leaks, which I also got at the Farmer's Market.  Plus, you'll need organic celery (3 stalks) and flat-leaf parsley (1/4 cup).  You just chop everything and put it in the pot.  So easy!  And yummy, too.

Level 1 - Day 13

Breakfast With Friends

This morning we had breakfast with our dear friends, Jamie & Robert, at a new restaurant.  It's challenging to find items on the menu when your urges tell you to order the pancakes or crunchy hash browns.  Or, maybe even a fresh, out of the oven, cinnamon roll.

Old habits die hard, and you just have to keep reminding yourself that these kinds of temptations aren't good for you.  Not only do they put on the pounds, they also stress your body.  I think it's okay to cheat once in a while, but we cheated yesterday at Universal Studios.  So, when we agreed to eat breakfast, out, we also make a pack with each other to stay on course.  And, I think we did pretty good.

Breakfast - Breakfast at KeKe's Restaurant in Winter Park.  We both had an omlet.  Mine had spinach, onions, bacon, and swiss cheese ... and it was delicious.  It also came with a stack of thinly sliced potatoes, with lots of brown crusty edges.  I should have asked our waitress to take them off the plate, but didn't think about it until I saw it.  Note to self:  ask to have extra temptations taken off the plate.

I did pretty well, but weaken a bit.  After eating my omlet, I couldn't stand having those little nuggets of temptation looking at me a second longer.  So, I had to try one.  And then I had one more.  They were paper thin and should have tasted heavenly.  But, you know what?  They didn't taste as good as they used to ... maybe my taste buds are changing with all the good food I've been eating.  I couldn't believe how easy it was to push the plate away.  Yeah!

AM Snack - Before breakfast we went to our favorite Farmer's Market to pick up some wonderful veggies for upcoming meals.  The basil was beautiful and came in big bunches, and I can't wait to use it for a recipe tomorrow.  Plus, we found some gigantic, beautiful sweet onions with extra long (and wide) tops similar to scallions.  The vendor told me to chop up the leaves and put them in scrambled eggs.  Can't wait to try that, too!  By the time we ate breakfast, we were still full to eat our snack.  So we skipped it.

Lunch - We were still feeling full from our breakfast, so we had a salad with some of the veggies we picked up at the Farmer's Market.  Skipped the protein.

PM Snack - Organic apple.

Dinner - I didn't get to the grocery store until late, so to make my life easier I picked up a Rotisserie Chicken and opened a can or organic green beans.  We ate the wings and the legs, and I'll make some soup tomorrow with the rest.

Level 1 - Day 11 (weigh-in day)

It's Weigh-In Day

After six weeks on the Sexy Forever Plan, I'm thrilled and excited to say that the scale moved, again.  A week hasn't gone by that I haven't lost something, which is a record for me.  I've never been on a plan before, and I've tried lots of them, that kept the scale moving for more than 3 weeks!

I lost one pound, for a total of 10 pounds!  I'm one-third of the way to my goal.  Yeah!  My husband lost another 2 pounds, for a total of 19 pounds.  We're both pretty excited. 

Today's also my hubby's birthday!  So, we took the day off and went to Universal before our 3-day pass expires next week.

 Happy Birthday To My Hubby!

You can purchase this card at:
www.SugarNotes.etsy.com

 Breakfast - Fruit: waited 20 minutes.  Then, leftover Quinoa (from yesterday) with non-fat milk and Agave Nectar.

AM Snack - Since we were at Universal, we decided to have an early lunch, so we skipped the snack.

Lunch - We had lunch at Lombard's Seafood Grille.  A quaint and friendly little restaurant that overlooked the water and had a great view of the park.  It was easy to find plenty of items that worked for us, so I had a chopped Italian salad.  It was filling, too.

Early Dinner - We decided to skip our snack and have an early dinner.  So, we chose Finnegan's Bar & Grill, which was a fun Irish pub with live music.  It was harder to find entrees that worked on the Sexy Forever Plan, so we did our best.  I had a shrimp appetizer.  The shrimp didn't have a batter on it, but was cooked in butter with a little cheese melted on top.  It sounded a lot like some of Suzanne's recipes.  Plus, I had a cup of pea soup, for my veggies. 

My husband went totally off the program and couldn't resist the Shepherd's Pie, and also felt that since it was his birthday he deserved a bottle of beer, too.  I will admit to all of you, that I cheated, too.  They put this amazing, hot loaf of soda bread on the table with homemade apple butter.  OMG!  I weakened and had 2 slices ... luckily it was one of those mini loaves.  It was out-of-this-world good, and better than beer or any cocktail on the menu!  I savored every wonderful biteful!

PM Snack -  We ate at Universal around 4:30, so I was hungry at 7:30  I fried up one egg.  It was wonderful.

Level 1 - Day 11

Pros and Cons Re:  Agave Nectar

The Pros:  In general, agave nectar is better than sugar, and by using it as a substitution for sugar you will reduce your calorie intake. When comparing the calories between the two, you will find that they both contain the same amount per teaspoon. But because agave is 1.5 times sweeter than sugar; you will not need as much, thereby you can reduce your calories.  Start by substituting between 1/2 to 2/3 cups of nectar for 1 cup of sugar.

If you are diabetic you will definitely want to switch to agave because it has such a low glycemic index. This is due to the high levels of fructose which are not as easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Sugar, on the other hand, is low in fructose, and high in glucose. It is easily absorbed into the bloodstream, which gives you a rush of energy. As this energy begins to wear off you find yourself craving more, but fructose will help to balance your energy levels, as well as your appetite.

Unlike sugar, which has no nutritional value, agave contains small amounts of calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium. It helps to fight colon cancer, and improves the functioning of the gallbladder by breaking down fats.

The Cons:  If you are pregnant you should consume agave with caution, as some species of agave contain anordin and dinordin steroids, which can lead to a miscarriage.
Even though agave does not spike blood sugar levels, it does make its way into the bloodstream as triglycerides. These can cause the arteries to harden, and eventually may cause heart attacks and strokes. So if you have any kind of heart problems you may want to stick with sugar.

Just like sugar, agave nectar is an addictive sweetener, and you should always consume it in moderation.

Breakfast - Fruit; then I exercised.  Afterwards, Quinoa with non-fat milk and a squirt of Agave Nectar.

AM Snack - Skipped due to my hectic schedule today.  I'm taking the day off tomorrow, so I have to work extra hard today.

Lunch - Leftover chicken and broccoli stir fry from yesterday.  I added a few shakes of Montreal Chicken seasoning by McCormick to spice it up a bit.  As, we found it to be a little bland.

PM Snack - Small organic apple.

Dinner - Mozzarella Marinara with Sweet Tomato Sauce and tossed salad (found on the SS web site).  This was truly a treat ... as it was succulent and divine!  I highly encourage you to make this dish, but it seems awfully naughty with all that cheese.  The recipe calls for 1 pound of mozzarella cheese for 6 servings.  Plus, 3/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

You make a very simple, but hearty tomato sauce, for 6 people.  The only down-side is that it takes 45 minutes to simmer on the stove.

I cut the recipe back to 4 servings, as I didn't think eating this much cheese was a good idea.  But, after being on this plan for a while now, it was a much-needed splurge.  We'll have the other 2 servings over the weekend, for lunch.

Level 1 - Day 10

Shoes Never Make You Look Fat

I avoid clothes shopping when I'm overweight.  With the economy the way it is, I hate to waste money on clothes I'll be too small to wear ... soon.  But, my shoes always fit, no matter how heavy I get.  So, here's to shoes!  They sure know how to make a fat girl feel skinny!

                                 Here's one of my Sugar Notes Greeting Cards!
                                           It's a little naughty, but oh so fun!

If you're interested, you can buy this card at:

www.SugarNotes.etsy.com

Here are my meals for the day:

Breakfast - Quinoa with some non-fat milk.  Plus the Agave Nectar.

AM Snack - Fruit.

Lunch - Leftover pork chops and brussels sprouts from last night.

PM Snack - hard boiled egg.

Dinner - Chicken & Broccoli Stir Fry (SS web site).  While this wasn't as flavorful as most of Suzanne's recipes, it was still very good.  I couldn't get the chicken to crisp up because I had so much liquid (from the chicken) in the bottom of the pan.  However, the liquid sure helped the veggies get soft (broccoli, pea pods, and zucchini), but the whole dish needed something.

Note:  Did you notice that I used up the remaining pea pods from the Philadelphia roll-ups we had for a snack yesterday?  I always try to make dishes that use up any leftover food in the fridge as the week goes along.

Level 1 - Day 9

I Had To Cheat Today

It was the funniest thing.  I was up a little later than usual, and while I was watching "Chelsea Lately"  my stomach started growling.  I mean, it was making all kinds of loud noises, and pretty soon they sounded like the words, 'feed me'.  This has never happened before.

Suzanne has often stressed that you shouldn't skip a meal because you do more harm, than good.  It messes up your metabolism.  Well, I figured (and maybe this was wishful thinking), that I'd better do something about the noise.  However, I didn't know what to do, so I had a tablespoon of peanut butter.  After about 10 minutes, the grumbling went away.  Hope it doesn't come back to haunt me on Friday when I weigh in.

Breakfast - Fruit, then I exercised.  Afterwards, I had a bowl of Kashi puffed wheat cereal and some non-fat milk.

AM Snack - By the time I finished exercising (I got a late start today) and took my shower, it was almost lunchtime, so I skipped my snack. 

Lunch - The last of the leftover Lemon Chicken (from Day 6) and a salad.

PM Snack - Savory Roast Beef Roll-Ups from the SS web site.  Take 4 thin slices of deli-style roast beef, and place a little lettuce, and a couple whole pea pods on one end.  Then roll.  The recipe also called for chopped raw onions, but I omitted them.  This was a fun, and filling snack.  And, it was nice to have a little beef.

Dinner - Leftover pork chops and brussels spouts from last night.

Level 1 - Day 8

Guys Have It So Much Easier

It's not fair that guys can lose weight so much quicker than us gals.  I look at my husband, and his pants are practically ready to fall down.  And, his little pooch is almost gone.  With only 13 pounds to go, he's starting to have graham crackers or granola bars with our tea in the evening.  He's so full of himself ... or actually, he's so less of himself.

For me, my clothes aren't anywhere near the falling down stage.  Thankfully, they're not so tight anymore.  And, that's a good thing because it's so much better not feeling bound in my own clothes.  I've only lost 9 pounds, but to me that's a victory in itself.  I couldn't be happier.  I only hope the scale keeps moving for a while longer.

Breakfast - Leftover Tomato and Mushroom Frittata from yesterday.

AM Snack - Fresh pineapple.

Lunch - Leftover Crunchy Roasted Chicken from yesterday and a salad.

PM Snack - Slice of cheese (1 oz.).

Dinner - Pork Chops in Creamy Mushroom Tarragon Sauce (pg. 264 & 265) plus Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta (Pg. 211 from Slim & Sexy book).

This meal was beautiful and heavenly ... and oh so delicious.  The sauce for the pork chops makes this dish stand out.  It's so gourmet but really simple.  And, the chopped tarragon, sprinkled on the pork chops at the start of the frying process, really makes them come out pretty, too.

Regarding the Brussels Sprouts:  I played a trick on my hubby.  He doesn't care for them, so when preparing Suzanne's recipe, I sliced the brussels sprouts in half, like she says, but then I sliced each half 3-4 more times.  When you place them in the saute pan they don't even look like brussels sprouts.  They look more like a veggie hash.

Then, when you mix the flavors of the sauteed pancetta and shallots, it's ridiculously good.  My husband didn't even know what he was eating until after he was done.  Boy, was he surprised!  I highly recommend this recipe as brussels sprouts never tasted so good, and they're so good for you.

TIP:  There was a lot going on with the preparation of this dish.  I started the brussels sprouts first, so they ended up being done about 10 minutes before the pork chops and sauce.  So, I added 3/4 of cup of water to them while they simmered on the stove.  That way they didn't dry out or get burned, and the water just evaporated away.  I think it also made the veggies more tender.  Or, it could have been my imagination.

Level 1 - Day 7

We Burned the Veggies!

I told you yesterday that my hubby grilled some veggies for some soup I was going to make today.  But, it kills me to report that over half of them didn't make it.  They were burnt beyond recognition.  As I scraped them into the sink to run the disposer, my husband starting humming the "Taps Song".  It was a sad moment.

We grilled the veggies in two batches; one batch for our supper and then one batch for soup.  I think the grill was too hot for the soup veggies and they became chard.  When I got them out of the fridge today, in the day of light, they were goners.  So, I didn't have enough to make the soup.  So, we're just going to eat the ones that survived with our leftover chicken.

And, I promise I'll make this soup next week.  I don't give up that easy.  Plus, it's a recipe I'm anxious to try. 

Breakfast - We exercised in the yard today by pruning bushes, cleaning out weeds, and mowing.  It took us over 3 hours, so that was a pretty good workout with lots of squats and lunges.  To fuel our bodies I made a Tomato & Mushroom Frittata (SS web site) and pre-packaged turkey sausage patties.  The recipe called for salsa as a garnish, but we didn't feel it needed it with all the tomatoes inside the frittata.  This dish was delicious and fresh tasting.  I'd enjoy having it again sometime.

AM Snack - We had a bowl of fruit with fresh pineapple, melon, and grapes.

Lunch - Leftover Thai Beef with Cucumber Salad from Day 5.

PM Snack - Brown rice chips and fresh salsa.  My husband had a cocktail, because he said he deserved it after working so hard in the yard.  I admit I was tempted, but decided to put some lime juice in my water instead. 

Dinner - Leftover Crunchy Lemon Chicken from yesterday and the grilled veggies that we were able to save from our burning disaster.

Beverages:  I drank more than my eight 8-oz. glasses as I was plenty thirsty working in the hot sun all day.

Level 1 - Day 6

Has Anyone Blanched Garlic Before?

I love garlic and have eaten it minced, sauteed, and roasted.  But, I've never heard of blanching it.  While making tonight's dinner, the recipe called for 2 cloves of blanced garlic.  Luckily, Suzanne put the directions on the recipe.

First, you bring a small saucepan of water to a boil.  Then, place one whole unpeeled head of garlic into the water.  When the water returns to a boil, remove the garlic and submerge in cold water.  Then, peel the garlic and put it back into the boiling water for a minute.  It comes out soft, and pliable, but not mushy like roasted garlic.

It's an intersting concept, and a lot faster than roasted garlic.  You can store the unused garlic in the refrig until ready to use.

Breakfast - As soon as I saw this wacky recipe for Green Eggs and Ham Sandwiches, I couldn't wait to try it. 

Run, don't walk, to your grocery store and get the ingredients for this egg dish!  Even if spinach isn't one of your favorite veggies, you'll change your opinion after eating this amazing breakfast sandwich.  It's wacky fun, but oh so delicious.

What makes the dish is the crust you get when you fry the "Spinach Bread" in the ham grease.  The recipe calls for bacon or ham, so I used Canadian bacon.  It didn't leave much grease in the pan, so I added a little EVOO before I fryed the "bread".

Basically, after you crisp up the spinach bread, it gets a golden brown similar to grilled cheese sandwiches, only these are green sandwiches.  Then, while still in the pan, top each piece with swiss cheese and a slice of ham.  Let the cheese melt, then stack the two pieces on top of each other, with the meat and cheese in the middle like a sandwich.

It's very pretty on the plate, and the serving size is large.  So, you're really full and satisfied after the meal.  If you're not a member of the SS (Suzanne Somers) web site, send me a message and I'll email you the recipe.

AM Snack - I wasn't hungry after eating our awesome breakfast.

Lunch - Leftover Chicken and Zucchini Soup from yesterday.

PM Snack - My favorite, brown rice crisps and fresh salsa.


Dinner -  Crunchy Roasted Lemon Chicken (from SS web site) and Grilled Fennel and Zuchinni (pg. 213 in the Sexy Forever book).

 My husband fired up the outdoor grill and roasted the veggies for tonights meal (thick sliced fennel, red onion, and zucchini), plus some extra tomatoes and onion for a soup I'm making tomorrow.  I love it when you cook once, but use it twice.

First, you make a yummy marinade and let the chicken soak in it for 15 minutes, or up to 24 hours. I marinated it for one hour and used 6 thighs. Then, put each piece in a roasting pan and broil in the oven .  I've never done this with chicken before.  After 15 minutes, take it out of the oven and dip each piece in the marinade again, put back in the roasting pan and broil for another 10 minutes. Then, take it out again, dip the chicken again, and broil for another 2-3 minutes. This technique is wonderful as the chicken comes out looking fabulous. It's golden brown with lots of crispy, crunchy skin! It's to die for.

Plus, you make a little sauce using the bits on the bottom and a little chicken broth. The grilled veggies were an excellent compliment to this mouth-watering dish.

Level 1 - Day 5 (weigh-in day)

It's Weigh-In Day!

For those of you following my blog, I'd love to hear about your weight loss progress.  So, drop me a comment every now and then.  We weigh ourselves on Friday, so I invite you to join us.

Today my husband lost 2 pounds, for a total of 17.  Men have it so much easier than us gals.  However, I was delighted to see that I lost 1 pound, for a total of 9 pounds after only 5 weeks.  It's always motivating when the scale moves, so if you're scale doesn't move from time to time, don't give up.  There are lots of reasons why, and most of them aren't your fault!  It's just the curse of being over 40.

Breakfast - First I exercised, then had a cup of Kashi Puffed Wheat with non-fat milk.

AM Snack - A big bowl of fresh mixed fruit.

Lunch - Chicken and Zucchini Soup (SS web site).  As I told you yesterday, I made this soup last night from the store-bought roasted chicken.  It was easy and fast to make, with only 3 ingredients.  See yesterday's blog for the recipe.

I have to admit that I didn't hold out much hope that this soup would be delicious, but I love zucchini, and it was fast to prepare.  But, let the whistles blow on this one, as it was filling, delicious, and very comforting.  Perhaps it was due to the fact that I simmered it longer, or that it spent the whole night in the fridge, which gave all the ingredients time to get acquainted with each other.  But, I encourage you to try this quick and easy soup.

PM Snack - One of my favorites, brown rice chips and fresh salsa.  I found the chips in the gluten-free section of our grocery store.

Dinner - Thai Beef With Cucumber Salad (pgs. 178-179 in the Slim & Sexy book).  The combination of cucumbers, ginger root, mint, and rice wine vinegar was wonderful.  The recipe also called for sliced, raw onions, but I don't care for them raw.  So, I replaced them with leftover red pepper slivers (from the Philadelphia roll-ups).  The flavors were bright and crisp.

The marinade for the rib-eye steak was wonderful, too (EVOO, fresh lime juice, plus chopped fresh cilantro and basil, and a serrano chili thinly sliced).  You put the steak in the marinade for 30 minutes, then grill them in EVOO for 2-3 minutes on each side.  The result is very fancy looking with all the fresh herbs stuck to them, plus a crispy, brown finish. 

I can't say enough about the food on this plan.  Most of the time, it just doesn't seem like we're eating on a weight loss plan.  NOTE:  EVOO is short for extra virgin olive oil, and SS is short for Suzanne Somers.

Level 1 - Day 4

Ran Out Of Maqui Juice

I had the last of the Suzanne Somers Maqui Juice yesterday, and I'm not sure if it's doing anything.  So, I'm going to take a break and see what happens.  It's kind of expensive at $29.00 per bottle.  So, we'll see what the scale says, and if I feel any different.  I've been sleeping better and feel a lot more energetic, but that could be the food and exercise.  I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, I may check out our local health food stores and see if they have it, and how much it is.

Breakfast - Fruit; then waited 20 minutes.  Then, a frozen whole wheat waffle with natural peanut butter.

AM Snack - Skipped.

Lunch - Leftover Pork Paillards (from Day 2) and a side salad.  It tasted just as good as it did the first day, and the sauce really steps it up a notch.  My lunches are so fancy on the SS plan.

PM Snack - hard boiled egg.

Dinner - Roasted Chicken and canned organic green beans. 

I wanted to make some Chicken & Zucchini Soup (from SS web site) for lunch tomorrow, so I decided to make it today.  It's a fast meal and calls for a rotisserie chicken from the grocery deli department.  So, I picked one up on my way home tonight and we ate the wings and the legs for dinner.  Since this was such an easy dinner, I prepared the soup after we ate.

First, I peeled, then sliced 4 medium zucchini and cut the rest of the rotisserie chicken into chunks.  The sad part was throwing the golden, crusty skin away.  Then, I put it all into a pot and added 4 cups of chicken broth and let is simmer on the stove for a couple hours.  The recipe said to heat and serve, but I wanted the zucchini to get soft.  I'll let you know how it tasted, tomorrow. 

Level 1 - Day 3

Good News For Chocolate Lovers!

I'm not a big fan of chocolate, but I have a lot of girlfriends who love it.  So, I'm sharing this information with those of you who can't give up your chocolate.

Good news from Suzanne.  In Level 1 you can have 1-2 squares of high quality, dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa content).  The best time to eat it, is as a snack in the PM.  Eat it alone; not with other foods.  The down side ... only eat chocolate once per week, unless you're steadily losing weight.  Then, you can have it twice per week.

I love days like today, when every meal is a leftover.  No prep work or cooking in the kitchen.  Such an easy day!

Breakfast - Fruit, then I exercised.  After, I had a frozen whole grain waffle (by Vans) with natural peanut butter.

AM Snack - Busy day at Sugar Notes, so I didn't even realize I missed my snack until I looked at the clock, feeling hungry, and it was 1:15.  Yikes!

Lunch - The last of the Lamb Burgers (from Day 30) and  side salad.

PM Snack - A Philadelphia roll-up (from Day 2).  I love these little snacks.  So refreshing and good!

Dinner - Leftover Pork Paillards from yesterday.  I couldn't handle eating the leftover garlicky whipped cauliflower, as my mouth had barely recovered from the onslaught of the garlic taste from yesterday.  So, I had some green beans.  However, my dear husband, who REALLY hates to waste food, ate the whipped cauliflower.

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

Level 1 - Day 2

A Little More About Level 1

If, while in Level 1, you feel your weight loss is stalling, Suzanne recommends returning to the Detox level to get things moving again.  Then, when you start Level 1 again, pull back a little on the additions to help with your weight loss.

For, me, I'm going to start Level 1 slowly by adding only one extra carb per week, for the first 2-3 weeks.  Then, add a second extra carb per week.  I'll evaluate how it's going, and see if I want to add a third carb each week.

At this time, I haven't really had too many cravings because the food has been unexpectantly good, and I haven't felt hungry.  I'm sure that will change, with time, but for now I'm going to take Level 1 slowly.

Breakfast - Leftover Artichoke Frittata, (from Day 30) plus one sausage link.  This tasted a little better, re-heated, but I still think there are too many artichokes in the dish.

AM Snack - Fruit and 1 ounce of Maqui Juice.

Dinner - Leftover Lamb Burger (from Day 30) plus a side salad.

PM Snack - Philadelphia Roll-Ups from the SS web site.  I love Genoa salami, so this snack was right up my alley.  You get 2 thin slices of Genoa, then spread with a little cream cheese (don't go with the lite version here), and top with a strip of red pepper and a strip of cucumber.  Then roll up and enjoy!  It's fabulous.

Dinner - Pork Paillards with Caper Butter Sauce (SS web site) plus Garlicky Whipped Cauliflower (SS web site).  First, I have to say that if I had known how much was involved with these two dishes, I wouldn't have made them the same night.  Whew!  A lot going on.  If it wasn't for my husband helping me with the smashing of the cauliflower, it would have been a challenge.

And, second, I can't believe we can even eat this dish, as it's even okay for Detox, too.  It makes 4 servings, but includes 8 tablespoons of butter!  That's one whole stick.  The end result was sinfully delicious.  What makes the dish is the caper butter sauce.  Plus, you saute the pork chops in butter, and I think that helps to make them really moist, and oh so flavorful.

Third, the garlicky whipped cauliflower is wicked!  Too much garlic for me!  And, I love garlic, so that's saying a lot.  I will be cutting back on the garlic next time, because I could taste it in my throat all evening, and woke up tasting it, too.  However, it was fun pretending we had mashed potatoes, because that's what they looked like on the plate.

And, fourth, this meal made me uncomfortably full all evening.  And, I didn't eat any more than I should have, either.  It's rich, rich, rich.  I don't know if it was the combination or the two dishes, or if the pork chops were that rich, but I'll think twice about a different side dish the next time.

Beverages:  I went over my water goal today because I was extra thirsty after dinner.

Level 1 - Day 1 (Information)

                                               We're Starting Level 1
                   And Celebrating That Accomplishment With A Sugar Note!

You can purchase this card at:  www.SugarNotes.etsy.com

Info Regarding Level 1

Basically, you remain in Level 1 until you reach your goal weight.  The guidelines are still the same, but Suzanne has given us some perks to make the plan more livable, and less restrictive.  I've listed the most important information below, but if you want to learn more read pgs. 179-184 in Suzanne's book, "Sexy Forever".

1. Instead of 3 servings of carbs per day, you can have 4.  But, and this is important, you don't have to eat all 4.  After viewing Suzanne's weeks worth of sample meals she only had 4 carbs on two of the days, 3 carbs on four of the days, and 2 carbs on one day.  So, it's clear to me that she's using the 4th carb as a treat, and not a rule for each day.
2. You can have a Suzanne approved dessert after a meal, but don't add the extra carb to that meal.  Again, her plan suggests that you limit dessert to 1-2 times per week, and count it as a carb. 
3. If you choose, you can add one carb serving to a protein/healthy fats/veggie meal.  Again, proceed with caution.  While in Detox, we couldn't do this option.
4. If, for example, you want to add some Brie Cheese as an hors'de vore before a meal (which is a healthy fat) or pan drippings as a sauce, DON'T add a carb like 1/2 cup rice to that meal.
5. Finally, if you choose a meal that's higher in fat, don't have the extra carb.

Today, I made a Level 1 dish for dinner.  I just had to do it, as it was our first day in Level 1.  Below are my meals:

Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Ham and Swiss Cheese (SS web site).  This was absolutely awesome, and so easy to make.  I asked the deli to slice the smoked ham thick (about 1/4") so I could dice it.

AM Snack - Had some fruit and 1 oz. Maqui Juice.  Then, I exercised my brains out!

Lunch - Leftover Garlicky Shrimp Salad from Day 29.  As I mentioned, we didn't care for the dressing, so I changed it today.  We had a leftover bottle of Lite Thai dressing (I know it's not what Suzanne would prefer).  It made a dramatic improvement.  So, when I make this again, I'll look for a SS friendly dressing that's similar.

PM Snack - Surprisingly, I wasn't hungry.  Plus, I was really busy today getting out a big order for Sugar Notes.

Dinner - Spicey Pork Chops (pg. 266) with steamed broccoli.  (I topped it with a little shredded cheese.)  The recipe calls for wine to make the sauce, which is a Level 2 dish.  However, you can also turn it into a Level 1 meal by eliminating the wine.  I just added a splash of chicken stock, instead, to the marinade.  The result was wonderful.  If you like mustard, this has a nice kick and a new twist for pork.

BONUS:  If you'd like to order this Sugar Note card, go to www.SugarNotes.etsy.com  Once you get to the checkout screen, put in the special code, SexyForever, to receive a 10% discount.