1 week of food down - Need to Make Adjustments

I am going to make an effort to blog at least twice a week.  I don't even know who is reading at this point, but I will continue to share things until I get sick of it.

I jumped on the scale yesterday and I have gained 2lbs.  This makes me sad.  I thought after the fast I would gain something but I guess I still wasn't prepared for it.  Staying positive and am going to make sure I am eating as much green food as possible.

This past Sunday my friends and I celebrated St. Patty's day by going to see P!nk.  It was a day full of drinking and partying and amazing times.  I did well with food all day.  I drank a juice in the morning.  Had a few munchies in the afternoon (nuts, veggie chips) and then ate about 3 bites from a veggie burger I ordered.  The drinking.... not so much.  Lets just say I drank more than a 12 pack of beer the entire day.  P!nk was phenomenal, absolutely amazing.  I highly recommend anyone wanting to see her in concert to do so.  I did eat some of the left over pizza I made from the night before when I got home.

I woke up on Monday feeling slightly hungover.  The girls and I went to lunch at The Drake Tavern (http://www.draketavern.com/)  in Jenkington.  I love this place.  They have great drink specials all day and great food (great burgers).  They have this appetizer called Dirty Chips, homemade Kettel chips tossed with bacon bits, blue cheese & scallions, topped with melted cheddar cheese... so friggin good.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't sneak a few into my mouth (sans bacon).  I went for the Salmon Salad,

Salmon filet served over mixed greens, roasted red peppers, crumbled blue cheese, egg, onions, Kalamata olives and seasoned walnuts, served with sun dried tomato vinaigrette.  It was wonderful and big, I couldn't even finish it.

 

 

I wasn't sure what to do for dinner on Monday night, so I decided to try out one of the quinoa recipes I have been hoarding and I am so glad I did!  This recipe was AMAZING! 

 

Red Quinoa Caprese Salad

 

Ingredients
-1C red quinoa
-8 oz fresh mozzarella
-2 carton grape tomatoes, halved
-fresh basil
-balsamic vinaigrette (I used Trader Joes brand, sooooo good!)
-salt & pepper

Method
1. In a medium sized pan, bring 2C water and 1C quinoa to a rolling boil. Reduce heat and simmer on LOW until all of the water is absorbed. This should take anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes. *Cooking your quinoa on low is extremely important. If you let it simmer on a hotter flame, the water will absorb too quickly and the quinoa will turn out hard!

2. Cool the cooked quinoa in the refrigerator for at least an hour before preparing the salad or run under cold water for a few minutes.

3. To prepare the salad, slice grape tomatoes in half [hot dog way] and cut the block of fresh mozzarella into bite size pieces. Mix together. Then, add the chopped basil and cooked quinoa and give the salad a toss. Next, add a little salt/pepper (to taste). Give your salad a final toss and serve cool or at room temperature.  I drizzled the balsamic vinaigrette as I ate the salad.

This week I also made some salmon and brussel sprouts I had picked up from Trader Joe's.

 

For the brussels I picked up the bagged kind Trader Joe's sells.  I cut off the stem and then cut in half.  I spread them out on a cookie sheet, sprinkled with sea salt, pepper and olive oil and baked at 350 for about 15 minutes, turning halfway through.  They were so yummy.  I love brussel sprouts and don't eat them enough.

 

Next I prepared my salmon.  I bought an 8oz fillet.  Seasoned it will Italian seasoning, salt and pepper baked in the oven at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

 

I wanted something else, then I remembered I had avocado, cherry tomatoes and yellow pepper.  I took the rest of the tomatoes and cut them in  half, sliced up some of the yellow pepper, added a little bit of red onion and then used half of an avocado.  Voila!  A yummy delicious mixture.  I added in a little of the TJ's balsamic vinaigrette.

 

This is what i enjoyed for dinner!

 

Tonight I am going to see the comedy of Amy Schumer, can't wait!

I will leave you with this little gem I found at Trader Joe's, Champagne Pear Vinaigrette w/ Gorgonzola.  Delicious.  Highly recommend.

 

 





 

I've been negligent to my blog - Pizza Recipe

Hello Everyone!

Its been a week since I blogged.  I've been busy the past week.  Lets fill you in on whats been going on and share the yummy food I have been eating.

Friday at lunch I ran off to Trader Joe's in Princeton.  Main goal: buy some 2 Buck Chuck.  What is 2 Buck Chuck you ask?  Charles Shaw wine.  The wine's were introduced in the California Trader Joe's and the cost only $1.99, that's where the nickname came from.  On the east coast the cost is $2.99.  They sell Merlot, Cabernet, Shiraz, White Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.  I picked up 10 bottles!  for only $30, that can't be beat.  Its good quality wine as well, tastes great.

I also picked up some Roasted Seaweed Snack for $0.99.  I loved this stuff!  It was good to much on and has next to nothing in it so it is a great snack if you need something crunchy.  A friend of mine also said these are delicious in rice, I'll be trying that out.  I bought Wasabi flavored ones this weekend, I'll let you know how there are.

 

 

I found a website that reviews Trader Joe's products, they gave their Kale Chips a 10 out of 10.  Those folks must be high on crack because those chips were disgusting.  Never buy these, they are awful, especially for $3.99 a bag.

 

On Friday night I grabbed a bottle of 2 buck chuck Merlot and went to Blue Sage with my friends to eat some delicious vegetarian/vegan food.  I absolutely love this place.  LOVE. 

We started out with one of my favorite things on the menu, Sliders.  Four toasted mini brioche buns with basil aioli, yellow tomato-avocado salad, maytag bleu. Served with cooked to order frites.  These sliders just melt in your mouth.  We also got some crispy smashed plantains surround a savory parfait of wasabi crema, mango papaya salsa & sesame-soy black bean hummus.  We immediately figured out that this was way to much to start out with.  No matter what this always happens.  I find it difficult to pick just one app, they are all so good!

 

Next my dinner came.  Masa potato empanada's with roasted rep pepper pumpkin seed pesto filling atop giant pickled white beans, gazpacho sauce and heirloom tomato avocado salad.  Simply astounding.

 

 

We topped the night off with Reconstructed Blueberry Pie,biscoff crust, warm blueberries, marcona almond pretzel topping and vanilla gellato.  Mouth watering!  It was a great evening.

 

 

Saturday I planned to do lots of relaxing and that's exactly what I did.  I started the day off with a massage courtesy of my mom (thanks again mom!), then a nap and then I got making my pizza.  I have been craving pizza.  During the entire fast all I wanted was pizza.  I was determined to make a healthy pizza myself and I believe I was successful.

 

Whole Wheat Mushroom Spinach Pizza

Serves 4

 

8 oz mushrooms

2 handfuls of baby spinach

1 package Trader Joe's Whole Wheat Pizza Dough ($1.19)

1/4 Cup marinara sauce (I eye balled)

6oz light mozzarella cheese, shredded

Olive Oil Spray

Some flour

1 tsp olive oil

 

 

Preheat Oven according to dough package (I think 425?)

 

1. In a pan saute the mushrooms in olive oil until cooked through.  Add Spinach to the pan and toss around with the mushrooms until wilted.  Take off of heat and set aside.

2. Flour your counter surface to form the pizza.  I found the best thing to do is to form a rectangle that fits on a cookie sheet.  You may find that the dough is a little hard to work with, but the taste is worth it.  Make sure your crust will be flat and not too puffy. 

3. Spray the cookie sheet with the olive oil spray.  Transfer the formed dough onto the  cookie sheet.

4. Spread the marinara onto the dough, leaving 1 inch around the edges.

5. Put the mushrooms and spinach on top.

6. Spread the shredded cheese on top of spinach and mushrooms.

7. Cook in the oven according to package directions (10-14 minutes).  I wanted mine to get crispier so I cooked it for about 16 minutes.

 

Tada!  Yummy semi homemade pizza that is very filling!

 

 

 

I'm done with blogging for today.  I will hopefully post more of the yummy things I have been making soon.

 

Thanks for reading!

Day 1 of real food = success!

Yesterday was a great day.  Not only did I feel awesome, but all in all I had a pretty good day.

I started to get hungry in the afternoon so I decided to have a little snack.

My friend Jenea posted online about Naturebox, a healthy snack website that sends you 5 healthy snacks with a monthly subscription.  I checked it out and by clicking on this link: Naturebox Healthy Snacks, I received $5 my first order.  The normal cost is $19.95.  I have to say, I am so pleased with the snacks I received that I think I will continue with getting them monthly.  You can cancel at anytime with no penalty. 

 

 

What I love most about these snacks is: 

No high fructose corn syrup

No Partially hydrogenated Oils

No Trans Fats

No artificial Sweeteners

No Artificial Colors

No Artificial Flavors

 

I tried 2 yesterday.

 

Cranberry Almond Bites: These were probably the snacks I was most interested in when I unboxed. They look like tiny granola bars and are made with crispy rice, tart cranberries, and almonds. They are slightly pink from the cranberries and are cut up into perfect portion sizes and they were delicious!

Wild Berry Bunch: I love mixes and there are tons of berries in this one! This might be my favorite so far.  The berries are so moist and flavorful.

I also received Orange Crush Granola, Lone Star Snack Mix and Masa Crisps.  Maybe If I get hungry later I will pop one open.

For dinner last night I was having Tahini and Avocado Kale Salad Wraps that I had made the night before.  I was so excited to eat this wrap.  It was filled with tomatoes, carrots, avocado and the tahini/avocado dressing I made that looked so amazing.  I was using a flax seed, oat an wheat lavish wrap. How could I not love something filled with such yumminess?

I poked my fork into the bowl and stabbed a little bit of everything and shoved it in my mouth.  ehhhh.  Not so good.  It was bland.  Not much flavor.  I can't decided if it was the kale or the dressing.  maybe a little bit of both.

I halved the recipe and still have a TON of salad left over.  It wasn't completely inedible so I stated to make my wrap.  I saved half and avocado from the dressing i made and sliced that up.  I love avocado.  I look forward to guacamole and deck time :)

 

 

 

I piled the kale salad into the wrap, added more avocado and sprinkled with salt.

 

 

Tada!  The avocado made this wrap.  I am eating this again tonight and I will probably throw out the rest.  I hate wasting food, but I don't think I can eat this again.

 

 

I was coaxed into going to lunch today.  Cafe Antonio's.  I had a delish salmon salad last time I was there so I was hoping to find it there again.  I had a cup of Maryland crab soup.  I had an amazing salad with onions, tomatoes, feta, mozzarella, walnuts and a generous size of salmon, balsamic vinaigrette.... soooo delish!

 



Day 21 - Fast is over and I'm Down almost 25 lbs and I'm still Alive!

Total Loss As of Today: 24.6 lbs!!!!!

Today is the day I finally get to eat real food.  I have to say that I am glad this juicing fast journey is over.  I can't imagine having to do this for longer than 20 days.  I am excited to start my new journey of eating a primarily plant based diet. 

I have learned that because I did this, I can do anything i put my mind to.  There were so many times I didn't think I was going to make it.  Thank you to all my friends and family for your support!

This morning  I started off with a mean green juice.  I will continue to do this every morning.  Then I had the most amazing banana.  OMG.  It tasted wonderful.  I'm now chowing down on a Strawberry Spinach Salad with Berry Dressing (homemade).

Get the recipe here: Strawberry Spinach Salad with Berry Dressing

 

I think I am going to continue with this blog for a little while to see how my progress goes.

 

 

I'd like to thank everyone who has been reading this entire time.  Its interesting to see the stats from number of views from each country.  Thank you to whomever is in Germany for reading!  I can account for the US, UK and Malaysia visitors.

 

 

PS: I need to measure inches this evening.



Day 19 - One more day!

Weight status:
Week 1: -13.8 lbs
Week 1: Inches lost: 10
Week 2: -6.2 lbs

Total Loss As of Today: 22.8 lbs!!!!!

I wasn't in the blogging mood over the weekend.  Saturday started off great.  I went to Trader Joe's and got lots of goodies for my "after fast".  Seriously, that place is amazing.  I got a ton of stuff and for only $60.  I can't wait for my trip back next weekend.  I spent the rest of the day in bed feeling sorry for myself.  All my friends went to the mountains to celebrate a good friends birthday.  I sat this one out juicing and partying don't mix.  I am sad that I missed it. 

I can't wait to start eating actual food.  Each day that passes I can't believe how far I have come.

The best part of springing forward... one hour closer to me eating real food!

Day 15 - 3/4 of the way there!

Weight status:
Week 1: -13.8 lbs
Week 1: Inches lost:  10
Week 2: -6.2 lbs

Total Loss As of Today: 21lbs!!!!!

I've decided to take my next measurements next Wednesday when the fast is over.  Each day I cannot believe another day has gone by.  Only 5 days left and then I am moving on to real food.

I have firmly decided that my first bite real food will be a banana.  I am craving one.  You cannot juice banana so its been awhile since I have had any.

I will continue to drink a mean green juice every morning.  You can't beat the energy you get from it.

Did I mention that I have not had to take my claritin since I started the juice fast?  When you take the normal energy your body would use to break down food that you eat and you apply it to other parts of your body, then your body will build up stronger immunities, heal itself faster, and will basically rejuvenate itself. This is a remarkable method to cure colds, prevent sickness, and even cure allergies. This is why you are supposed to drink plenty of fluids and why your body does not react so well to solid foods when you are sick.

Not only am I so excited to actually eat something, I cannot wait to start exercising.  Exercising is not recommended while on a juice fast as you are not consuming enough calories to even burn.  I have felt dizzy during this fast at times so I am looking forward to using this energy instead of bottling it up.

Toodles.

Day 14 - 20lbs down!

Weight status:
Week 1: -13.8 lbs
3/1 -1 lb
3/2 -0.6 lb
3/3 -0.6 lb
3/4 -1.2lbs
3/5 -1.2lbs
3/6 -(19.8 lbs lost total)
Week 1: Inches lost: 10

My jeans are falling off my ass!  I could literally pull them right off me!  I'll need to go through old jeans tonight and hopefully find something that fits.

20 lbs.  I can't beleive it. :-)  I feel fantastic!  A week from today I will be eating real food.  I am so looking forward to that.  I am working on my raw food plan for the first fews days, I am getting so excited to eat healthy.

Have a wonderful day everyone.  Stay warm!

Day 13 - Only 7 days left

Weight status:
Week 1: -13.8 lbs
3/1 -1 lb
3/2 -0.6 lb
3/3 -0.6 lb
3/4 -1.2lbs
3/5 -1.2lbs (18.4 lbs lost total)
Week 1: Inches lost: 10

18lbs down.  I am really surprised.  I was hoping for 20lbs in 20 days so maybe I will even surpass that!  I am anxiously awaiting day 21 so I can eat something.  I think the first food I eat with be a banana.  I really miss banana's.  I really miss chewing.  I went to Giant at lunchtime today and picked up some apples, kale and cucumbers.  I also picked up some goodies for "after fast", almonds, sunflower seeds and flax seed/oat wraps.  I would kill for a handful of almonds right now.

This morning while driving to work I started to get really sharp pains in my head, they were making me wince it hurt so bad.  It's happened 3 times since this morning.  Lets hope I don't have a stroke.

I am craving cigarettes.  I crave the oral action of smoking, the menthol, the feeling of the smoke going into your lungs, the exhaling.  I even miss blowing out the tobacco in my Parliament filters!  Lets hope I am can continue to hold back on the smoking.....

 

 

 

So it might snow tomorrow?  I love snow.  Snow is my sunshine.  I love heavy wet snow, small snow, big snow, fluffy snow, dirty snow, any kind of snow.  I usually spend snow days drinking bloody mary's and eating a fabulous meal.  So for once I wish it was not going to snow tomorrow because I can't eat a damn thing or drink a bloody mary (the way I want it!).

 

 

 

 



Day 12 - Seventeen

Weight status:
Week 1: -13.8 lbs
3/1 -1 lb
3/2 -0.6 lb
3/3 -0.6 lb
3/4 -1.2lbs(17.2 lbs lost total)
Week 1: Inches lost: 10

Seventeen pounds down!  I haven't paid much attention to the numbers since I have been feeling so great. 

Here are 17 facts about the number 17.

1.   It takes 17 muscles to produce a smile.

2.   "17" was the original title of the Beatle's song "I Saw Her Standing There."

3.   There are exactly 17 ways to express 17 as the sum of 1 or more primes. 17 is the only integer which is equal to the number of prime partitions of itself.

4.   17 steps lead up to Sherlock Holmes' residence at 221B Baker Street.

5.   17 is the speed limit of the Turner Turnpike offramp in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

6.   St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is believed to have died on March 17.

7.   A cow's saliva increases by 17% while grazing.

8.   17 and Apple. There are 17 sets of chromosomes in the apple. Eve was traditionally 17 years of age when she fed Adam the apple. There were 17 different PowerMacs made by Apple computer.

9.   It would take over 17 Earths to equal the mass of Neptune.

10. "At Seventeen" was a hit song for Janis Ian in 1975.

11. Former President Bill Clinton's dog Buddy was killed by a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old girl.

12. King Tutankhamen was wrapped in 17 cloths.

13. Stegosaurus had 17 bony plates on its back.

14. Friday 17th is unlucky in Italy. This is thought to derive from Roman tomb stones which often included the word VIXI (I lived) as part of the narrative (VI=6 + XI=11 giving 17).

15. The Parthenon is 17 columns long.

16. In the United Kingdom, the minimum driving age for a car or van.

17. 17 is the number of pounds this girl will never see again!

Day 11 - More than halfway there!

Weight status:
Week 1: -13.8 lbs

3/1 -1 lb
3/2 -0.6 lb
3/3 -0.6 lb(16 lbs lost total)
Week 1: Inches lost: 10

I wasn't up for blogging yesterday.  I went to the flower show and it was really awesome!  I have never been before.  Here's a little sneak peak.  I brought my juice with me.  We stopped into reading terminal and I got some wasabi peas and toasted corn.  I cannot wait to be able to eat them!

 

 

 

 

I cannot believe that I am more than halfway there!  Thinking back to day 5, I wondered how I would make it as each day passed.  Only 9 more days left and I feel pretty good.  I haven't had a whole cigarette in 11 days!  I think about smoking a lot during the day.  I really miss that! 

 

I may not post on here everyday, so long as I feel good :-)

 

Day 9 - Almost Half Way There

Weight status:
Week 1: -13.8 lbs

3/1 -1 lb (14.8 lbs lost total)
Week 1: Inches lost: 10

Yesteday was my best day yet!  I did not feel hungry at all and was full of energy.  I have decided that I will do a juice reboot quarterly, 5-7 days,
 to keep myself in check.  I think my next one will be June 1st right after my vacation to London/Ireland.

I went to the doctors this morning because my jaw was bothering me and I started diagnosising myself with diseases!  Turns out I am just grinding my teeth which is making my jaw ache.  Looks like if things don't improve I will purchasing a night guard.

I have been struggling with what my plan will be when I am done my juice fast.  Initially I wanted to do 50% plant based, 25% grains, 25% lean proteins.  I am not sure that I want to continue eating meat.  Its not something that we need to survive.  My biggest struggle is with seafood.  The thought of giving this up is not something I want to think about.  I feel l could give up chicken, turkey and beef with little to no issues.  My goal is to do only raw (uncooked) veggies and fruits for a while, then mix it up throughout my day.

Did you know there are 7 Types of Vegetarians?  In my opinion, there are 3, vegan, vegetarians and everyone else!  Perhaps I will be a pescatarian?

7 Types of Vegetarians

Tomorrow I will be halfway there, pretty amazing huh?