SweetLeaf®$nbsp;Sweetener$trade;

SweetLeaf®$nbsp;Sweetener$trade;

Maintaining through the Holidays!!

PHASE 3 ~ WEEK 3 ~ DAY 6 ~ Dec. 28, 2009



Menu: See Fitday Journal


+ / - of the 2lbs from LIW: -2.1

I have made it through the holidays with maintaining below my LIW and enjoyed the holidays! it did not bother me what others were eating or not eating! It did not bother me if they said something about what I was eating or not eating!! I start tomorrow as Week 4 Day 1 to add back sugars and carbs!! So I did my measurements today! The ohter reason I did them today is because when I first went on maintenance I could not were a pair of my "SKINNY" jeans, but at the last minute I need a clean pair of jeans on Christmas Eve and I said what the heck I will try???!!!!......I could pull them up when I started maintenance but there was no zipping or buttoning them!! BUT on Christmas Eve not only did I button and zip them I rode in the car with them on for 6 hours WOOT WOOT!!!

I am also glad to tell you since maintenance I have shed another 11.5 inches!!! so after you stop HCG your body keeps changing!!!

Changes Since 12/6/2009 Last Injection Day

Neck               - 1/2"
RT Arm           - 1/2"
LT Arm           - 1/2"
Upper Chest    No Change
Chest               - 1.5"
Midriff             - 1"
Waist              - 1"
Hips                - 2"
RT Thigh        - 1/2"
LT Thigh        - 1/2"
RT Knee       - 2"
LT Knee       - 1.5"
RT Calf         No Change
LT Calf         No Change


This give me a grand total of over 26 inches!!!

The Eggplant ~ Veggie ~ Meat Lasagne

Eggplant-Veggie-Meat Lasagne by: http://hcgprotocoljourney.blogspot.com/


When I returned home after a week in Maryland, I discovered that there were a lot of veggies in the fridge that needed to be used asap. Half a red onion, the rest of a bag of spinach, some roasted red peppers, a container of portabella mushrooms, half a container of ricotta, and an eggplant. There was only one option - lasagne! Eggplant is a very good facsimile for lasagne noodles, and I slice them very thinly with my mandolin. You can basically add whatever veggies you like, and sautee them in a pan. Also, you don't have to use meat in this, but I always do.



1 eggplant, peeled and very thinly sliced (I really prefer baby eggplants, about 3 or 4)

1 lb ground beef

4-5 cloves garlic, minced

1 pint mushrooms, sliced

handful spinach

1 medium onion, diced

2 roasted peppers* ( I omitted this did not have it here)

1/2 large container of ricotta

3 cups parmesan to sprinkle

1 jar no-sugar-added marinara* ( Be sure to check your carbs on this if in the first 3 weeks of Maintenance)



Brown meat, add onions and garlic and cook until translucent. Add mushrooms, brown for 3 minutes, then add peppers and spinach. Salt and pepper to taste. Add jar of marinara. Stir in ricotta.



Layer a large baking pan with eggplant slices. Top with sauce, then sprinkle parmesan. Repeat layers, and sprinkle generously with parm. Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes, let rest for 10 minutes.

Checking In!!!! Sorry for the absence!!!

PHASE 3 ~ WEEK 2 ~ DAY 7 ~ Dec. 22, 2009


Menu: See Fitday Journal


+ / - of the 2lbs from LIW: -1.2


Well  a lot of things have been going on!! Over the weekend we found out my husband no longer had a job, he has completed his school and was doing his externship. They keep telling them upon completing that they would have full-time jobs offered, well that did not happen. So I have been busy getting him back to the town we are living in....sending resumes and saying prayers. I can truly say HCG has changed my life as well as my dependency on food! In my past I would have ate and drank my way through these times!!! I have keep my head high and stayed with the plan!!

A few days if you follow my Fitday Fitness journal you will see not a whole days food on it!! I made an Eggplant Lasgne Casserole a fellow blogger had posted and dont know how to convert it over to a serving. I can proudly report even though it had beef in it and it is usually not my friend I had a lose after eating it!! YEAH ME!!

I am going to post the recipe on in my next posting today! I will make some changes next time I make it but over all very good!!!

I promise to stay on top on my postings just with the hectic life at home and the holidays once you get behind it is hard to keep up!!!

I hope everyone is doing great losing weight or Maintaining!! I am happy that today is going to be Wk 3 Day 1 so then we do the add sugars and starches Then........ROUND 2 WOO HOO!!!

Maintenance HIGH PROTEIN = HIGH LOSS!!!!

PHASE 3 ~ WEEK 2 ~ DAY 2 ~ Dec. 17, 2009



Menu: See Fitday Journal


+ / - of the 2lbs from LIW:  -1.5 

I am so happy!!! Yesterday I go up 1.2 above LIW....so I had decided to do a High Protein with only one vegetable at each meal with out mixing so I could bring my weight down!!!

I had a very emotional day yesterday and I am so Happy to report I stuck not only to protocol but I also stuck to the specific plan for yesterday!! I did not do any emotionaly eating or drinking yesterday as I would have in the past!!! My reward for this I had a 2.7 pound loss Woo Hoo!! Also brought me to my lowest weight since being the program as well!!!

I was very happy and this just made me get my day going!!! I made the effort for a new venture and it even went very well!!

I am so thankful how this program has brought to my attention and the correction of what I have done wrong for so many years!!!!

Everything has gone well and I believe that tomorrow I am going to make the pumpkin layer cheesecake so expect pictures and the recipe to follow!! Yummy~0!!

How to Make your own Almond Flour!!

I had been searching for almond flour to make muffins and the Chocolate Coffee Mug Cake and had been having a hard time finding. So I reached out to fellow HCGer's and got this is a reply!

When I googled the only tip I found was make sure you dont end up with almond butter!!!

Jennifer Smith Lile shared her tips of how to successfully make your own Almond Flour and I wanted to share this with others that might live in rule areas and I would assume it is more cost effective this way as well!!

Jennifer Smith Lile December 16


You can make your own:

I buy whole, raw almonds Put on a large sauce pan of water to boil. When the water is boiling dump in a manageable amount of almonds - I usually use half of the 12 oz bag at a time. Leave the almonds in for just one minute. You don't want them to cook or get soggy, just loosen their skins. After a minute dump them (or scoop them out if you're going to do more) into a strainer and run cold water over them to stop the cooking. Dump them out onto an old towel and blot dry. To slip off their skins just grasp them between thumb and forefinger, pointed end away from your palm, and squeeze. Have your other hand ready to catch because that little sucker will shoot out. When I've done an entire bag (which I usually boil during commercial breaks and pop out of their skins while watching TV) I lay them on a single layer on a sheet pan and pop them into a 350 degree oven for just about 3 minutes to make sure they're completely dry. When they're completely cooled (that's important), run them through a food processor. I actually use my coffee grinder because it gives me a much finer texture. When they're all ground I rub them through a colander, pluck out any chunks and process them again. You have to be careful not to turn them into butter. Store in a airtight container in the fridge for maximum freshness.

This sounds like a lot of hassle but the actual working time I put into it is about 1/2 hour.

Now for a recipe that is Phase 3 friendly and has Chocolate!!!  Chocolate Mug Cake


I found this on a blog by Amy Leigh.

Chocolate Mug Cake



4 TBLS of Almond Flour

4 TBLS Sugar Alternative

2 TBLS cocoa powder

1 Egg

3 TBLS Milk

3 TBLS oil (she used olive oil)

splash of Vanilla Extract

1 Large Coffee Mug



Mix all dry ingredients in mug

add egg and blend throughtly

Add Milk, Oil, and Vanilla mix

Place in 1000 watt micro for 3 minutes

(2 minutes in her 1250 Watt microwave)

Do not cover mug, cake will rise over top - do not be alarmed

Let Cool and place on plate add a little whipped cream on top.

~Enjoy

Today will be High PROTEIN

PHASE 3 ~ WEEK 2 ~ DAY 1 ~ Dec. 16, 2009



Menu: See Fitday Journal


+ / - of the 2lbs from LIW: +1.2  

Okay I have had my fun ........ Having new recipes and flavors but today I am going to do High Proteins!! I am at the top of my comfort level!!

This is what you learn by weighing on a daily basis! I jsut want to stay in check! Yes, my last two days have been treats but today I will be a little strict on myself!! I like how my maintenance is going and do not find any reason to rock the boat!!

In the past two days I had Pizza, yummy rosemary butter sauce, and even peanut butter!!! I believe that is enough treats and feel good about my choices!! Life is well and I can see how this is changing my overall health!! I am truly happy and loving life!! Enjoyed making new recipes, altering recipes and being creative.

Amazing Creamy Wine Sauce

I got this recipe from hCGMiracle facebook discussion page!! Thelma and Louise have voted it as one of there favorites. It was originally posted by Angie from the Taste of Home Magazine! Let me tell you this is absolute divine!!

I of course am going to post it the way I made it which was I halfed the recipe for just me and I added onions to it that I carmelized and I used portebella mushrooms!! I really wanted to take a spoon to eat every drop of the sauce much I showed much restraint and did not do it!!!

I fixed this with a Pork Loin Chop but would be great with Chicken as well!!!

1 boneless Pork Loin Chop or Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
1 TBSP Butter
1/4 Cup Cooking Wine
1/4 Cup Whipping Cream
1 1/2 tsp Minced Rosemary
1/2 Cup Portebella Mushrooms
2 oz of White Onion, moon Slices
Salt and Pepper to taste

Spray pan with cooking spray. Cook your Pork or Chicken over medium heat. Remove and keep warm. Place onions in pan to carmelize once they are about half done go ahead and add your mushrooms, once brown remove onions and mushrooms. Deglaze your pan with the cooking wine and cook over medium-high heat, stirring to loosen the brown bits from pan. Add Cream and bring to boil. Reduce the heat and stir until slightly thickend. Add rosemary and butter until blended. Add onions, mushrooms and return meat to pan.

Enjoy~

Dont forget your WATER WATER WATER!!!

PHASE 3 ~ WEEK 1 ~ DAY 7 ~ Dec. 15, 2009


Menu: See Fitday Journal

+ / - of the 2lbs from LIW: +.5


Well yesterday was kinda of a crazy day!!! I made a mistake when I thought I was below LIW by 1.4 I was really only .8 below LIW...( Dont try to figure without coffee first...LOL)....But yesterday I did not drink all of my water and I did splurge with the cheesy yummy Cauliflower Pizza so this am I am up to .5 above LIW.

That is ok though I am pretty stable staying within no more than 1lb either way!!! Today my goal is make sure I drink my WATER WATER WATER!!

I know how important it is to drink my water PLUS with the extra sodium in the Cheese and Tomato sauce I had I tried drinking lots last night but when you get behind in the day it is really hard to drink that much at night especially after eating!!

Today starts Week 2 of my maintenance and all is well!!!

Have a GREAT day!!! We love being "losers"!!!

Cauliflower Pizza today because 1.4 under LIW

PHASE 3 ~ WEEK 1 ~ DAY 6


Menu: Yesterday 12/14/2009 did not use food journal did a test day! *See Below

+ / - of the 2lbs from LIW: - 1.4

 
Yesterday I did a test for Jayme Hunt http://www.lessofmehcg.blogspot.com/ Jayme has been testing different things to do on maintenance and life phases. Yesterday I tested the Apple/Cheese for her. I did not have as large of losses as others; however, I was very pleased with my results. I think some factors may have been that I am only at the end of my first week of maintenance. I had lost .2 lb the two days previous so to be on maintenance and have lost 1.0 lb I think it was a success.
 

Most of all I got to a place I felt I would try the Cauliflower Pizza!!! It was delicious; however, it is the richest food I have eaten since beginning this program back in Oct! It was easy to make and really enjoyed. I am going to repost this recipe taht I got from http://www.hcgloss.com/ and will note changes and suggestions. Also a fellow blogger has this on her blogspot as just Cauliflower Breadsticks
http://cleochatra.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-cant-believe-its-cauliflower-pizza.html
 

Ingredients for Pizza Crust:
 
1 cup cauliflower, cooked and riced (grated)
1 egg, beaten
1 cup of mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp fennel
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp parsley
garlic powdet (to taste)
 
NOTE: I did not have any fennel or parsley at the house and all I did after making the crust before baking I sprinkled with oregano and garlic powder (I did not measure just eyed both). I also sprinkled a little dill on it. ALSO I KNOW FAMILIES THAT HAVE TRIPLED RECIPE TO FEED THE FAMILY!!
 
Do not pack ingredients in measuring cup. All you need to do is put the cheese, cauliflower, and one beaten egg into a small bowl mix well. I sprayed my non stick round cake pan and evenly patted it down.
 
Then place in preheated oven at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes. After crust was done I turned oven down to 350 degrees to warm toppings and cook other toppings this takes longer but from others it also helps crust remain crisp.
 
This was not in the directions but after I baked it to keep a round shape I flipped out of round pan and then place right side up on a cookie sheet before adding the sauce and toppings. Keep in mind by letting rest some it allows some of the moisture out keep the crust crispier.
 
NOTE IF MAKING JUST BREAD STICKS AT THIS POINT YOU COULD SPRINKLE WITH PARMESEAN CHEESE AND BROIL TILL MELTED AND BROWN SLICE WITH PIZZA CUTTER AND SERVE. I think would be great with Chili, Soup, Salad, or just dip in Marinara Sauce.
 
For toppings this is what I did. Since I am new to Maintenance I did not want the premade sauces because of being high in carbs; therefore, this is what I did.
 

I took 1/4 cup of Hunts Tomato Sauce 100% Natural and put in a saucepan with minced garlic, pepper, and oragano and heated through.
 
So the veggies would cook since everything is precooked I did sautee my onions and peppers.
 
For my toppings I put the sauce on first then the sauteed onions, peppers, fresh mushroom sliced, some grilled chicken I had left from lunch, 8 slices of pepperoni.
 
I was gonna sprinkle with parmesan cheese but I did not add that and it was absolutely delicious without!

Cruise Control is set and we are cruising in the Maintenance Lane

PHASE 3 ~ WEEK 1 ~ DAY 5


Menu: See My Fitday Journal

+ / - of the 2lbs from LIW: - .4

Since I posted a late posting last night not really anything new to report other than I was down .2 this am so I am now .4 below LIW. Everything is going good! I am being good to maintenance and it is being good to ME! =D

I did post before and after round one pictures today! yes I still have at least 2 more rounds to go, BUT how many other diets have you been excited to finish or extend? I have never before but with the Body and Mind changes I am really excited. I have seen this as a way for me to go into retirement from being a professional dieter!

Thanks for reading my experience and hope this is encouragement or inspiration for you! This is really different and you can do it as well. If you ever want to email me feel free to do so at HormonallyChangesrGood@gmail.com or send me a meesage on facebook!

Have a GREAT Day!!

Pictures of Before and After Round 1

I wanted to load these Pictures they really dont show as well as I can see in person but I am not one to take my picture....This is real discipline but trying to openly share this experience with all of you!

Oct 22 2009 front view before Round 1

Dec 14 2009 Front View after Round 1

Lost 31.6 and 24 inches

Oct 22 2009 Side View

Dec 14 2009 Side View

Riding in the cruising lane on Maintenance

PHASE 3 ~ WEEK 1 ~ DAY 5


Menu: See My Fitday Journal

+ / - of the 2lbs from LIW: - .2


Maintenance is going well! I am sorry I posted so late today; however, took my last final today!! Yeah another term complete!!!

I took my measurements this am and have lost more inches! The most inches was were we would like to have keep them....I lost 2" in my bust this past week!! What??? ooo well!! Other than the bust I lost 1/2 inch in my left thigh so now my left and righ are the same size. I have also lost another 1/2 inch in my waist.

So while doing my maintenance, inches are still losing YEAH!!

I made an amazing salsa tonight with my chicken! I so wanted guacamole but I just did like a salsa with avocado in it, and it turned out amazing!!!!

In my Ninja I put 2oz of red onion, 1 tomato quatered, 3 cloves of garlic, 15 cilantro leaves, 4 dashes of tabasco sauce, juice of 1/2 lime, and 1/4 of a Haas Avocado 1/2 tsp of salt....pulse to desired consistancy....I put this over my grilled chicken tonight....My little mexican dinner!!! Was so yummy!!!

Wheeeeee.......arms above my head as I fall down this rollercoaster

PHASE 3 ~ WEEK 1 ~ DAY 4



Menu: See My Fitday Journal


+ / - of the 2lbs from LIW: + .2


Woo Hoo what a ride but last night I must have put my arms above my head on this ride; because I woke up this am and down -1.8; therefore, I am at +.02 above LIW!!!!

I am a huge vegetable eater so instead of Salads with mixed veggies I focused on high protein portions and only at 1 veggie per meal yesterday!! I consumed about the same number as calories as the previous day; however, large protein portions made up the majority of the calories and I forced extra water down even though it was cooler!!!!

I know you can look at my journal to see what I ate but you would have to go back to the date so I just wanted to share that way it would be easier for you:

For Breakfast I had 1/2 grapefruit, one boiled egg, and 3 strips of turkey bacon


Lunch I had 4 oz of Talipia (after cook weight) on George Foreman and 3 cups of baby spinach wilted in ACV

Snack: 1 oz of Almonds

Dinner: 5 oz of Chicken breast (after cook weight) on George Foreman and sauteed 2 cups of green cabbage in water & ACV

Dessert: Apple with cinnamon and 1/2 packet of Stevia sprinkled over it and Baked


So we are off to another day and I am supper excited!! and Really ready to get back to round 2!!!

I think I am going to have one salad today and make sure just one veggie tonight!! still learning how to walk on this path!!! Taking my baby steps all over again but it is not how fast I get to the road it is that I do it successful!!!

Climbing the Big Hill on the Coaster hope we are falling in the am!!!

PHASE 3 ~ WEEK 1 ~ DAY 3

Menu: See My Fitday Journal

+ / - of the 2lbs from LIW:  + 1.8

Wow the Maintenance coaster continues...Go from -2 to -.4 to +1.8 of LIW....everyone says this happens but when it is you all you can say is WOW!!

I thought I was doing so well by eating lots of veggies yesterday and a great Salad for lunch and at Dinner fixed Vegetable Soup with Beef Tips in it!! Well beef is not always my best friend but +1.8 Holy Toledo!!

Still struggling with the calories and dont think I drank all the water I needed yesterday plus did not sleep well last night!!! However today started a new day and I ate lots of Protein and only ate one vegetable with each meal and did not mix today!! I will post in the am to let everyone know how it went today!! I really think I did well with the choices of food but I struggled with water again today! It has been really cool here and I would have rather drank coffee or hot tea today but I know how important the water is so I am sitting here with my water bottle!!!

The Maintenance Highway....might be a rollercoaster

PHASE 3 ~ WEEK 1 ~ DAY 2


Menu: See My Fitday Journal

+ / - of the 2lbs from LIW: - .4lbs


Well I made it through 1st Official Maintenance day; however, I am on the Maintenance rollercoaster...back up this am!! but still below my LIW!!!

I went to a site to see how many calories I need to eat to maintain my weight....and it said 1837....WHAT??
Well I knew there was no way with my stomach shrinking I could eat this many calories, so I just tried to do the best I could and after each meal I was feeling too full! and after lunch for my much desired fresh green beans sauteed in Olive oil with slivered almonds was no way near what I had remembered them being pre HCG....I think I put too much Olive Oil in the pan!!! And with the oil I just felt YUCKY!!! Maybe should have done for dinner since I did eggs and turkey bacon at breakfast.....not sure just strolling down this road trying to remember all of the caution signs my friends have posted on their journey and embracing the new trail.....

So with all this said, I only ended up with 1000 calories!!! Today my goal is to eat small meals and do the best I can but I do not want to feel full as I did all day yesterday!! Plus I drank my 3 liters of water!! and that is filling as well!!!

Last night for supper I had a piece of fish on the George Foreman grill and a large salad!! It was soooo good to mix my veggies and the salad was fabulous!!! I am thinking that is going to be lunch today but I know I need protein maybe not this meal!!

This am I started out with just 1 egg (boiled) and still had my turkey bacon.....then mid morning to try to increase my protein I did 4oz of small curd cottage cheese with blueberries.....Now I really miss my yogurt so I am experimenting with how to use the cottage cheese to give me something along this line....This am I put the cottage cheese in the NINJA with 1/2 packet of stevia then added 1/2 cup of blueberries...it tasted good but it was Burple color..lol....and it was a little thicker than the yogurt!! As I get this to the right consistancy and flavor I will post and share!!!!

Today is overcast and raining...so I am thinking for dinner I might make vegetable soup!! Unsure rigth now and I will study for one of my finals and maybe take it tonight...since with the weather  is an inside day!! I am having electrical problems at the house so that means none of the tvs or cable is working!! Very quiet in my home today!! better take advantage and study!!

As the journey continues!!

Official Day one of Maintenance!!!

PHASE 3 ~ WEEK 1 ~ DAY 1

Menu: See My Fitday Journal

+ / - of the 2lbs from LIW: - 1.4lbs

Well got up this am and hit my personal weight goal I wanted to get to this round and I am super happy; however this already puts me 1.4 below my LIW!! I will have to embrace this part of the journey as we venture into a new path!! I was very comfortable with Phase 2, yesterday when I went to the store to buy some new foods I can have it was really hard....really the only thing I got was a few more varieties of veggies since I can mix them now!! and the two things I have really been wanting was my turkey bacon and some fresh green beans. I had the turkey bacon this am!! and plan on the green beans at lunch sauted in 1 TBSP of olive oil and minced garlic garnished with almond silvers.....I also purchased some whole alomonds to have for a snack food.

Last night I was really hunger so I did go ahead and increased my supper portion of meat and I ate till full but was really full!!! I had a burger that I put on the George Foreman grill with a tsp of coarse ground mustard on top and a sliced tomato...really enjoyed my burger without the bun!! But I have ate them like that for a long time or I would actually us lettuce on the top and bottom for bun effect!! You can do this....it mainly comes to about the food choices we make!!! I am so happy with my choices and my journey at this time and feel that I am retiring from being a professional dieter!!!

Enjoying this journey one step (one pound and inch) at a time!!

End of Round 1 Moving onto Maintenance!

Sorry I have not posted much this last week! I am in the process of taking Finals for my term in school, so been kinda crazo!!

Sunday December 6, 2009 was my last injection for this round....I missed my personal goal for this round by 1.4lbs but the 2lb rule would put me below so maybe I will get there. I will begin round 2 Jan 23 and Jan 24!!

So with 35 injections and 4 days of detox I lost 30.2lbs and 24 inches!!! Woo Hoo

I am sort of nervous about going to Maintenance; however, it is part of the journey. Therefore I will travel down this road slow and easy!!!