Monday, Monday...the return of Phase I

I didn't post Sunday's food log. It wasn't bad, but I had my cousin & her boyfriend over for dinner and was too tired to blog. I made a nice Mediterranean spread; hummus, babaganouj, veggies, etc, etc.

Worked out with Kettle Bells on Sunday and AGAIN, forgot the pain comes the next day. I always think, "That was not that hard", then I couldn't get out of bed the next day. I had already agreed to a Monday workout with my friend, which was the best thing for me. Mostly cardio and arm and shoulder stuff.

(B) 2 egg scrammble with spinach & parm, tea, water
(S)
(L) chop chop salad, water
(S) nuts, sugarfree jello, dark chocolate
(D) beef pho (no noodles) with veggies, diet coke, water

School started today which is bittersweet for me. My son is a senior and getting ready to start the college process. Excited for him, sad for me.

Saturday - Happy Birthday Michael Jackson!

I participated in the Michael Jackson Flash Mob tribute in Seattle. Fun!!! We practiced a little in the morning, we got our "Secret" locations and off we went. Long day of walking and dancing.

(B) boiled egg
(S) BBQ Pork Stick, water
(L) ham, cheese
(S) sugarfree soda, nuts
(D) fitness bread, lowfat cream cheese, gravlax, tomato, cucumber, water

Happy Birthday Michael Jackson.

Beat It, Beat It...

TGIF - Pike Place Market

Ah, Friday.

(B) 1/2 cup Uncle Sam Cereal, nonfat milk, blueberries
(S) nuts, water
(L) Salmon caesar salad, water, sugarfree dulce de leche pudding
(S) Chocolove Chili & Cherry chocolate - 1" square
(D) LOLA: tzatziki, 1/8 pita, wine, 1.5 prawns, 1 pork kabob, 1/2 baby red potato, water

Exercise: Walked around the Pike Place Market

Back to Phase I - Wednesday/Thursday

I forgot what I ate yesterday, but I did cheat! In the name of research, I had to have a bite of PIE. That's all I can say.

on to Thursday...another beautiful 85 degree day!
I did a little more shopping with my son and then had lunch at Five Guys. I had a burger, sans the bun. Later I met John at the Farmer's Market.

(B) 2 fried eggs, decaf tea
(S) nuts, water
(L) burger patty with cheese, diet coke
(S) 1 blackberry, 1/2 oz. cheese, water
(D) curry garbanzo beans with turnips, chicken tikka masala, water

Exercise: NONE

Back to School Shopping

Every year it happens, Every year I cringe!!! I love shopping...for me, however, for my teenage son...PAINFUL. Since it is still summer, teenagers think 11 am is early morning and 1 pm is breakfast.
My husband goes to the gym before work, so I woke up at 5:30 am. I waited for hours then finally went upstairs and said, "Get up, we're going school shopping!" The shopping experience was grueling, however, I enjoyed spending time with my son. Next year at this time I will be sending him off to college.

(B) 2 fried eggs, 1 slice deli turkey, water
(S) nuts, water
(L) PANDA EXPRESS: broccoli & beef, snap peas & chicken, steamed veggies, water
(S) iced decaf, nonfat, sugarfree hazelnut latte (Whew say that 3 times.)
(D) Caesar Salad with scallops, water, sugarfree jello

Tuscan Chicken and White Bean Stew

I woke up to a chilly morning so I thought, "Good day for Cassoulet". Cassoulet, not South Beach Diet friendly. I spent part of the morning researching different chicken and white bean recipes and came up with a pretty good Cassoulet-ish recipe. Basically boneless, skinless, chicken, garlic, sauteed tomato, rosemary, bay leaf, white beans, chicken stock, oven for an hour...yum.

Always start with housemade chicken stock.

Tuscan Chicken and White Bean Stew

1 T olive oil
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 Garlic Cloves, crushed
1 cup tomato, roughly chopped
1 small sprig rosemary
1 bay leaf
16 oz. chicken broth
1 cup water
2 15 oz cans cannellini beans, drained
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 T chopped parsley

Heat large sauté pan on medium-high. Add oil, when oil is hot, add chicken. Brown chicken on both sides add tomato and garlic to the pan. Sauté until the garlic is soft. Add chicken broth and beans, bring to boil. Cover and lower heat, simmer for 1 hour. Check the stew every 15 minutes and add ½ cup water at a time as the stew thickens. Turn off the stew and mash the beans slightly.

Stir in Parmesan and parsley. Serve with crusty bread and a mixed green salad.


(B) 1 boiled egg, coffee, water
(S) blueberries
(L) broth, beef, veggies, water
(S) grapes, nuts
(D) Cassoulet-ish Stew, water

Workout: Housework.

Typical Monday. I should have tried to get to the gym, but never made it.

Sunday - Steak House Dinner

Just another lazy Sunday. My husband made blueberry pancakes. Whole wheat, it couldn't hurt, right? I must admit halfway through, I had a little tummy ache. Was it in my head or was my body in shock...who knows. I might go back on Phase I tomorrow. We'll see.

Overall, not a bad day. I woke up too early, however, got to the gym. Good thing, family dinner was at Ruths Chris tonight. I passed on the bread and the garlic mashed potatoes, didn't miss anything. Couple bite of dessert...hmmm...I'll weigh myself in the morning.

(B) blueberry pancake with butter, cheese stick, blueberries, 1/2 apple, water
(S) decaf iced coffee
(L) ham & turkey sandwich (half bread), water
(S) sugar-free candies
(D) 3 oz steak, 3 prawns, green beans, 2 T creamed spinach, wine, asparagus salad, sorbet, 2 bites chocolate cake, berries & cream, decaf coffee


Workout: All Cardio
10 treadmill, 20 cycle, and 20 arc trainer

Saturday - Would you like an hors d'oeuvre?

What to do at a function when you are a surrounded by non-SB foods? I heard it many times, eat a little before you go out, avoid the buffet, stick to the veggies and fruit. OK..."Would you like to try an hors d'oeuvre?" You can say "no" a million times, but eventually you might just say "Yes". Today my yes was the Filo wrapped asparagus with asiago. Good news, that was the only and I am OK!

(B) turkey/Ham/Swiss sandwich with half the bread, decaf nonfat mocha
(S) blueberries
(L) 2 beef brochettes, 1/2 apple, 1 asparagus filo, water
(S) nuts, wine
(D) Veggie taco salad w/black beans, water

Workout: None. Worked the PARTY!

TGIF - A Bowl Full of Noodles

It's Friday and I had a lunch meeting at I Love Pho. Rice Noodles galore. Well, without making a big deal, I ordered the prawn & squid with extra veggies, no carrots. I was fine until I was left with a bowl full of noodles.

(B) 1/2 chicken breast, water
(S) sugarfree hard candy
(L) prawns, squid, veggies in broth, water
(S) cashews
(D) gravlax, whole grain bread, zucchini carpaccio, cheese, water

Workout: Spa Day. I got to the gym and marched right into the steam room.

I must say, I love Kalyn's Kitchen! I've been working a weekend project all day which took me all over the place. Tired.

Thursday...Royal Pains

New favorite show - Royal Pains, however, I don't know how many seasons it can last. Catering and event this weekend, so busy, busy getting everything ready.

(B) 1/2 chicken breast, water
(S) sugar-free hard candy, water
(L) 2 oysters, mozzarella stick, water
(S) cashews, water
(D) beef brochette, Caesar salad, red wine, water, sugar-free hard candy

Workout: 20 minutes step mill

Yikes, I should eat more veggies. I am still shying away from carbs. I know I can have them, but I REALLY want to lose weight. John & I went to Ruth Chris for dinner. The Beef Brochette appetizer and Caesar salad worked well for me. I didn't touch John's Prime Rib slider or FRITES.

Surprisingly, I didn't really want the frites, or the famous Ruth Chris bread pudding. Hmmm, change is good!

Wednesday, Wednesday

I must admit, I am still paranoid of Phase II. I did not eat any fruit or "carb" stuff today. Sadly, I avoided healthy carbs and scrounged around and ate poorly. At least I made it to the gym.

Workout:
30 minutes Eliptical and 15 minutes Row

(B) fried egg/ "leftover" beef tostada/ water
(S) cashews/ sugarfree hard candy
(L) "leftover" beef taco without taco shell/ water
(S) sugarfree popcicle
(D) steak/ cauliflower/ water/ sugarfree creamcicle

Sticking with Phase II

I'll be honest, I wanted to stick with Phase I a little longer so I could lose weight faster. I read The South Beach Diet over and over and decided I should follow the advise...stick to Phase I for two weeks and switch to Phase II until all your weight is lost.

(B) 1 hard boiled egg, 1 mozzarella stick, water
(S) jelled ricotta
(L) green papaya salad, green curry w/tofu, brown rice, water
(S) cashews, gouda, water
(D) avocado taco salad with shredded beef, water

Workout: 1 hour = 513 calories
cardio: 20 minutes Eliptical/ Gluteal 2
resistance: sit-up on bosu, squats, bendover row, russian twist, military press w/kettlebells
cardio: 10 minutes row, 10 minutes treadmill

Almost Halftime!

(B) 2 oz. steak, spinach, decaf earl grey
(S) seasoned nori, water, plum, 1/2 sugar free jelled dessert
(L) 3 meatballs, sugar free hard candy, water
(S) cashews
(D) 2 oz. steak, tomato & basil, cucumbers, water, red wine

Workout: 45 minutes Arc Trainer

A warm day, low 80's, I know I should appreciate the warmth, when the drizzly Seattle rainy days come back, I will need to double my doses of vitamin D.

Hello Phase II

Tah Dah!!! Total loss in Phase I = 8 pounds


















As the South Beach Diet promises, the weight loss in Phase I should be between 8 - 13 pounds. I was hoping for the 13, but I can't complain about my loss. I haven't made any real changes in my eating in the past few months. My routine has been try to get to the gym at least 4-5 times per week and burn between 400 to 600 calories, helped to take off the 1st 4 pounds.

Total weight loss since January 20009 = 11 pounds

I'll take it!!!

I had hopes of getting to the gym today, but considering it's nearly 2 pm and I have no immediate plans to get out of my jammies, hmmm. This will be a rest day, I guess.

(B) egg, 1/2 cup steel cut oats, 1/4 c blueberries, 1/2 c nonfat milk, and water
(S) mozzarella stick, sugarfree hard candy, and water
(L) gouda, chicken salad, cucumber, tomato, coffee with splenda
(S) sugarfree candy, water, plum
(D) grilled chicken breast, cole slaw, grilled red pepper

DAY 14: The Last "Phase I" Supper

As of today, I've lost 8 pounds. Happy? Yes!

No work-out today. Seriously, TOO Busy.

I attended my friends fathers funeral today. Too sad to go into detail.

My son left for Arizona today to visit my cousin and check out University of Arizona.

(B) 1 hard boiled egg/ cheese stick/ V8/ water
(S) sugar-free hard candies
(L) cucumber/ tomato/ lamb/ water
(S) peanuts
(D) "Happy Hour" at Barolo: tuna tartare/ veal carpaccio/ arugula salad/ baby octopus & garbanzo beans...and a glass of Chianti

I realize wine isn't allowed until Phase II, but I decided today was a celebration of my weight loss so far!!! Right or wrong? We'll see.

So what do my husband & I decide to do? Make Tiramisu. I haven't made a Genoise in years and it was obvious. I wasn't paying attention and mixed all the sugar in with the flour. I took forever mixing the egg with the sugar. I forgot to butter & parchment the cake pan. Blah, Blah.

We're going to try again tomorrow. Night!

"Friday" DAY 13 - Pot Roast

Drizzly day in the Northwest. Great day for the gym!

Workout: 58 minutes and 495 calories burned
Cardio: 20 minutes Arc Trainer
Resistance Training: 3x - 30 seconds each
Military Press with kettle bell (8#)/ sit-up on Bosu/ dead lift with row (25#)
Cardio: 5 minutes Row and 20 minutes cycle

Again, I know there is a second half of my resistance training that I am ignoring. I will add that in when I complete Phase I in the South Beach Diet.

My son is flying to Arizona tomorrow to both visit my cousin, his favorite relative, and visit University of Arizona. I asked him what he wanted for his pre-trip dinner and he couldn't decide. I had already planned on making Pot Roast. My son doesn't like anything with a wine taste or tomato, so I have to make my Pot Roast with beef broth as the cooking liquid. In addition, my son isn't a big fan of carrots, so I will only add onion, garlic, and celery. The Pot Roast will be served with rice.

(B) 1 egg/ tomato/ ham/ iced decaf coffee
(S) sugar-free hard candy/ water
(L) poached salmon/ broccoli/ cucumbers & tomato salad
(S) peanuts/ water
(D) sliced beef/ celery/ water

One more day and I can have bread and wine again. Well, maybe just a little bit.

DAY 12 - Craving Mexican Food

So I've been craving Mexican food for weeks. Not South Beach Diet friendly. After a morning of running errands, no workout, blah, blah, blah, my husband suggested to go to a Mexican restaurant in Seattle, Barrio. We finally got going to lunch at 1:30 pm.

Chips & salsa doesn't come to the table "free", which was good, since I am not eating carbs. Of course, the menu looked GREAT! When I get into Phase II, I am going back for more. OK, I ordered the Chopped salad and Pozole. I asked if they could keep the corn out of the salad. A little hard to keep the hominy out of the Pozole, so I just waited for the food to come. John ordered guacamole which came with tortilla chips and a Modelo Negro (beer). I used the chips as a tool to get the guacamole from the bowl to my mouth...delicious. No beer for me, just water.

John & Tyler got tacos with chorizo and flank steak served with rice and drunken beans. My salad was good, chunks of avocado and toasted pumpkin seeds. The pozole, if I wasn't on the South Beach Diet, would have been awesome. I couldn't get around the hominy, a couple might have accidentally gone down my throat. Dessert, dessert, DESSERT. I ordered french press decaf coffee. John & Tyler shared "Churros and Xocolati Chocolate". John said the churros were the best he's ever had. Hmmm. I dipped my finger in the chocolate, delicious. I am definitely going to go back to Barrio, however, I need to check my Phase II food list to see what I can get.

(B) fried egg/ leftover steak/ sugar-free lemonade
(S) mozzarella stick/ turkey/ jelled ricotta
(L) chopped salad/ pozole/ water/ decaf coffee
(S) mozzarella stick/ sugar-free candy
(D) 4 meatballs/ water

DAY 11 - Sugar-Free Food

I am on WEEK 2/ Phase I and I really want a new dessert. Sugar-free popcicles and jello are fine, but I feel like I am getting a pre-school snack. I found this on Kalyn's Kitchen blog.

Jelled Ricotta Pudding
(Makes 4 servings, recipe shared by Janet Davis and tested by Kalyn.)
1 pkg sugar-free Jello, any flavor that appeals to you
(this recipe is for 4-serving size package, double it for larger box of Jello.)
1 cup boiling water
2/3 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup cold water
Put ricotta cheese into bowl and stir with fork or wisk until it's slightly softened. Have four glass dishes (slightly over 1/2 cup each) ready on counter to pour the hot Jello mixture into. Put powdered Jello from package into large glass measuring cup, pour in boiling water and wisk for 1-2 minutes, until all Jello is dissolved in the water. Stir in ricotta, then cold water and mix together. Pour into glass bowls and place in refrigerator to set. I waited about 2 hours until the mixture was partly firm, then covered it with cling wrap.
Serve cold, from individual dishes.

Here's how my day went...

(B) 2 fried eggs/ half tomato/ water

(S) iced decaf coffee

(L) OK, I had luch at Monsoon today. No problem sticking on the South Beach plan!

albacore poke with cucumber & tobiko/ Chinese mustard greens with shiitake & ginger/ 5 spice & pork spare ribs - OK, a little fatty, but I haven't cheated since day 1.

(S) sugar-free hard candy/ water/ sugar-free fudgcicle/ mozzarella stick

(D) chicken/ spinach/ mushrooms/ cucumbers & tomato/ water

I only did half of my resistance training. Still not motivated. Well, at least I went to the gym.

Cardio : 20 minutes Arc Trainer

Resistance 2x: crunches/ squats/ military presses with kettle bells

More Cardio: 10 minutes rowing/ 10 minutes treadmill

DAY 10 - Plum Kuchen

(B) peanuts/ mozzarella stick/ decaf coffee
(S) V-8
(L) half avocado/ 2 T tuna/ green beans/ grape tomatoes/ lemon vinaigrette/ water
(S) sugar-free creamcicle/ water
(D) grilled lamb/ sauteed spinach & mushrooms/ cukes & tomatoes/ water

8:30 am - Gym Day: 45 mins Arc Trainer/ 434 calories burned It took me a while to get into the groove today. Regis & Kelly started 15 minutes after I got on the Arc Trainer...it helped.

OK, big experimental cooking today. We have a million plums from my parent's tree, so I have spent the last few days figuring out what I should do with the plums. I have frozen some plums and given some away. I still can't have fruit, since I am still on Phase I - South Beach Diet, so John & Tyler got to try everything and give their constructive criticism.

I made mini plum muffins with wheat germ. Still working on the muffin recipe. I also made Plum Kuchen. Thumbs Up!!! I got a recipe from Recipezaar. I've made another version before, but lost the recipe. Here's the original recipe. I used real vanilla bean in the custard, instead of vanilla extract.

Plum Kuchen Recipe #133277

1¼ hours 15 min prep
SERVES 8
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 egg
2 cups pitted and sliced plums
Custard
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Mix flour, 1 tablespoon sugar and baking powder together.
Cut in butter until mixture looks like coarse crumbs; add 2 tablespoons heavy cream and 1 egg.
Press in bottom of 9-inch square pan or pie pan and arrange plums on top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
While this is baking, in a bowl combine heavy cream, sugar, egg and vanilla, using a whisk to beat together well.
Pour mixture over plums and bake an additional 20-30 minutes, until custard is set.
Serve warm or cool.
Store in refrigerator.

© 2009 Recipezaar. All Rights Reserved. http://www.recipezaar.com

DAY 9 - VERY Mellow Monday

(B) fried DUCK egg/ sauteed spinach/ ham/ water
(S) Mocha Ricotta Creme
(L) lean hamburger patty with cheese/ water/ pickles
(S) SUGAR-FREE creamcicle/ water
(D) roast chicken/ grean beans/ fennel salad/ water/ sugar-free popsicle

I found my workout spreadsheet from last year that I will follow it for the next few weeks. I am taking a rest day today.

Not much to report. Tired today. Tomorrow, tomorrow.

Jelled Ricotta Pudding

I am on WEEK 2/ Phase I and I really want a new dessert. Sugar-free popcicles and jello are fine, but I feel like I am getting a pre-school snack. I found this on Kalyn's Kitchen blog.



Jelled Ricotta Pudding

(Makes 4 servings, recipe shared by Janet Davis and tested by Kalyn.)

1 pkg sugar-free Jello, any flavor that appeals to you

(this recipe is for 4-serving size package, double it for larger box of Jello.)

1 cup boiling water

2/3 cup ricotta cheese

1/2 cup cold water
Put ricotta cheese into bowl and stir with fork or wisk until it's slightly softened. Have four glass dishes (slightly over 1/2 cup each) ready on counter to pour the hot Jello mixture into.
Put powdered Jello from package into large glass measuring cup, pour in boiling water and wisk for 1-2 minutes, until all Jello is dissolved in the water. Stir in ricotta, then cold water and mix together. Pour into glass bowls and place in refrigerator to set. I waited about 2 hours until the mixture was partly firm, then covered it with cling wrap.

Serve cold, from individual dishes.

DAY 8 - Plum Harvest

No bike ride. Unfortunately, I let my son take my car last night, he spent the night at his friend's house, AND our bikes are in the back. Darn! Just kidding really. It's overcast outside and we decided to sleep in and watch random Sunday tv, with the exception of "Bollywood Hero" on IFC on Demand.

(B) 2 egg scramble with spinach and feta/ decaf coffee with skim milk, splenda & cinnamon

Almost noon and we'll eventually head over to my parents' house to help harvest plums. The tree is in desperate need of pruning, many of the plums are impossible to pick because they are too far up there. I laugh to myself each year when I watch my very short, Filipino short, family try to get that one perfect plum, which is far beyond reach. In most cases, after shaking the branches, the "perfect" plum will come down AND fall to the ground, only to be watched with sadness...however, someone will brush off the dirt, it's fine.

(L) greek salad/ cauliflower/ turkey lettuce wrap
(S) peanuts

I can't have fruit until next week Phase II. I will freeze what whatever plums are left, from my share of the harvest, that John & Tyler don't eat. Apparently, my uncle has made a plum pie for all of us to eat. I will have to be very clever with my reason for not eating the pie today. I have been on SO MANY diets, if I say I am on a diet, EVERYONE will either say, "Oh, it's just a small piece", or "You don't need to diet, just don't eat too much rice". Typical of my family. Love 'em, but I'll just have to say I have a stomach problem or something.

later in the day...
Went to the gym: 37 minutes on the treadmill=297 calories
I read the bit in The South Beach Diet about exercise; 20 minutes of walking a day. Hmm. Well, that would be going backwards for me, so I am going to get my regular workout back on track.

(D) skinless chicken/ ham/ shrimp/ tomatoes/ cukes/ water

Turned out to be a sunny and warm day. I made it through dinner at my parents' house without plum pie, rice, or wine. We picked a bunch of plums, which I will be either freezing, or giving away to friends. My parents also had heirloom tomatoes and figs from their friends and tomatoes from their garden which I picked for myself. I picked a couple green tomatoes which I plan to make Fried Green tomatoes with...for John & Tyler.

(S) sugar-free popcicle

One bit of sad news. My best friends' dad, who is also a close family friend, passed away tonight. I will be sending my thoughts and prayers to her and her family.

DAY 7 - Oysters on the half shell

Another Saturday, when you're unemployed, everyday is Saturday.

(B) mozzarella cheese stick/ 6 oz. V-8/ iced water
(S) 2 fried eggs/ ham/ 3 grape tomatoes/ coffee w/nonfat milk & splenda/ water
(L) meatballs with tomato sauce/ fennel salad/ sparkling water
(S) mozzarella stick/ sparkling water
(D) 12 raw oysters with ponzu/ caesar salad/ sparkling water

So far so good. I lost more weight today. Total loss 7 lbs.

John & I went to the Farmer's Market today. Hard to look at all the beautiful fruit and know I can't have any for one more week. We bought a pint of blueberries and 1 pt of raspberries. I plan to make blueberry pancakes for John & Tyler tomorrow.

I am considering staying on Phase 1 for an extra week. So far I haven't suffered too much. Maybe it helps that I don't have to go to work every day. In the past, I would REALLY NEED TO PLAN my meals. I use to work at an athletic club and probably only lost 3 lbs. in the 2 years I was there. I did however learn a lot about fitness.

Making plans to either go on a 30 mile bike ride or maybe just go to the gym tomorrow.

I am ending the day with a sugar-free fudgcicle.

DAY 6 - Eating FRENCH on the South Beach Diet

(B) 2 fried eggs/ water
(S) decaf coffee with half&half and splenda/ mozzarella cheese stick
(L) BluC Sushi: 3 pieces hamachi/3 pieces salmon/ 2 bites seaweed salad/ water

Went to see "Julie & Julia". Had to stop at the Candy Factory to get sugar-free candy. OK selection, got Swedish Fish. Wierd to go to a movie and not have butter popcorn, pop, and raisinettes. The movie was not bad. I felt the crowd was mainly 55 and older, much older. Feeling inspired by Julia's cooking, I made a French inspired dinner.

My stomach has been gurgling...was it the sashimi or the candy? While my husband made himself a cocktail, a Journalist to be exact, he also made a club soda and lime for me. One more week no wine.

(D) Dijon Chicken with herbes de Provence, wrapped in puff pastry. I didn't eat the puff pastry.
Roasted Organic Grape Tomatoes and Broccoli & Cauliflower sauteed with lardons. I realize lardons are not on the South Beach list, I just didn't want to make plain steamed vegetables.

Day 5: Making Lunches

Well, at 10:30 pm last night, I was hungry and had a mozzarella cheese stick and water. Thinking I have ruined the diet... I weighed myself this morning and have lost AGAIN.

Another Challenge: Making Lunches for OTHERS

My husband works out before work, so since I am currently unemployed, I don't mind getting up to make lunches for him. I had packed leftovers from last night's Salmon & Asparagus Dinner, but I still had a Breakfast to pack. Egg Salad Sandwich. I had just seen an episode of Everyday Food and they made an egg salad sandwich made simply with mayonnaise, dill relish, and OLD BAY. Delicious. I didn't make one for myself, especially since I can't have have bread right now.

(B) hard boiled egg/ mozzarella stick
(S) handful of unsalted peanuts
(L) turkey lettuce wraps/ sugar-free jello
(S) ham/ gouda/ sugar-free lemonade
(D) Beef-Veal Kofta Kababs/ Greek Salad/ Hummus/ sugar-free fudgcicle

This morning, I started reading The Julie/Julia Project blog while watching The Four Feathers. I would like to cook every Julia recipe, however, I am going to cook all The South Beach Diet recipes instead.

DAY 4 - Going OK

I served a South Beach Diet dinner to my family last night, however, I added garlic bread. I didn't eat the bread, but figured, my family is not on this diet, so they can have bread.

I made Marinated Flank Steak, South Beach Mashed Potatoes (pureed cauliflower), and steamed Broccoli. Recipes came right out of the South Beach Diet book.

The weather is cool today, so I spent time Gardening again.

(B) 2 hard-boiled egg whites, 1 yolk/ 6 oz. V8/ tea
(S) mozzarella cheese stick/ 3 slices deli turkey
(L) small hamburger patty/ cheese/ water
(S) peanuts/ sugar-free jello/ gouda
(D) grilled Salmon with garlic & lemon/ grilled asparagus & chayote/ sugar-free popcicle

A little challenge today. My good friend is a flight attendant and brought stroopwaffels, dutch crackers and gouda to my home today. I nibbled on the gouda, but I'll have to put the other 2 items out of site for a couple weeks.

DAY 3 - I weighed myself

OK, I have lost 3 lbs. Maybe it's water, maybe not.

Day 2: Monday, Monday...

Remembering colder days in the GARDEN.

Well, I ended yesterday with YOGA, it was just what I needed.

Today I didn't really have a meal plan. No gym today, however, GARDENING was on the agenda.

(B) 2 egg omelet with zucchini and ham/ camomile tea/ water/ vitamins
(S) sugar-free cherry jello/ water
(L) chicken breast/ zucchini/ string beans/ water
(S) unsalted peanuts/ water

(D) I am making steamed clams with scallions. I am also baking bread and steaming some corn for my husband. If I wasn't on Phase 1, I would have the clams, bread and wine...yum. Today, I will nibble on celery or snap peas, if I am still hungry. No Wine.

I have been reading about exercise and The South Beach Diet, it's not really needed to lose weight. I will continue with my regular program - 2 days resistance training and 3 days cardio for an hour. The only thing I am adding is either YOGA or PILATES in the evening.

Baked Orzo with Fontina and Peas Recipe

This was a big hit at dinner! Not South Beach Diet friendly, but a thumbs up.

Baked Orzo with Fontina and Peas

courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Prep Time: 25 min

Cook Time: 30 min

Level: Easy

Serves: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

4 cups chicken broth

1 pound orzo pasta

3 tablespoons butter, plus more to grease the baking dish

1 onion, chopped

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

1 cup Marsala wine

1/2 cup heavy cream

4 ounces shredded fontina cheese (about 1 cup)

4 ounces diced fresh mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

1 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Butter a 9 by 13-inch baking dish.
Bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Add the orzo and cook until almost tender, about 7 minutes. Pour
the orzo and the broth into a large bowl. Set aside.

Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium heat in a medium skillet. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms
and continue to saute until the mushrooms are beginning to turn golden around the edges, about 7 minutes. Add the Marsala. Scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan and cook until the Marsala has reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the mushroom mixture to the orzo in the large bowl. Add the cream, fontina, mozzarella, peas, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

In a small bowl combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and dried thyme. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture on top of the pasta. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes.

Starting The South Beach Diet...again

Day One on South Beach Diet. I've paged through the book The South Beach Diet, many time and today I am going to see if this diet works. I'll be more specific on the measurements, but today, not-so-much.

Breakfast: 1 egg/ half sauteed yellow squash/ canadian bacon/ coffee with splenda/ water
MidMorning Snack: 1 Red Leaf Lettuce/ chicken/ 1 slice swiss cheese/ water
Supplements: 2 low dose aspirin/ 1 salmon oil/ 1 multivitamin/ 1 vitamin D
Midafternoon Snack: chicken breast/ raw snap peas/ decaf iced tea/ water

Workout: 57 minutes, burned 447 calories
1/2 hr mixed resistance training
5 mins. rowing
20 mins. bike

Dinner. Ok, this is going to be interesting. I need to see how The South Beach Diet works in a world with a husband and son, who are not on the diet. My husband is making Baked Orzo with Fontina & Peas and Pork Tenderloin. I'll have to skip the orzo and eat something else. No dessert unless I make sugar-free jello, hmmm.

Oh, and NO WINE for 2 weeks.