Never Give Up - EVER Diet Log #77

Today is my first day of having my Carboholics Anonymous meeting.  I have brought in some celery and ranch dressing for sharing as a nibble.  Everyone's packed their own lunches to bring in... I'm going to go over a few helpful tips = things that have helped me.

1.   If it is a root vegetable, it's not on the "Plan".

2.  Don't listen to other people tell you you are doing something wrong, or how you should do something another way - instead - take hints and advice to a point that if you think it might work for you, try it, but don't fall in the trap of Nay-Sayers.  Nay-Sayers will sabotage (not purposely) every chance they can ....

3.   It's ONE day at a time.  If you ate some pizza or ice cream, then you should make consequences that are healthy to fix it - and that is, get back on the horse, walk an extra mile, do an extra 30 minutes exercise, and start back with a healthy choice and realize - you can do better next time.  

4.  DO NOT GIVE YOURSELF TREATS for a GOOD LOSS in the form of FOOD.  Buy yourself a new shirt, skirt, piece of jewelry, perfume, something that you wanted... new shoes :)  But if you treat yourself with Carbohydrates, you've just given in to the addiction... just like a drug addict.

I've always said - my drug of choice, is Food.  I'd rather sit and eat a giant bowl of pasta and fresh hot bread smothered in butter than take any drugs or alcoholic beverage.  I guess I can't really say that I'm not an addict, because honestly, regardless of how hard I work on weight loss - this has been a long time battle - and I only fail because of my addiction.  

I have lost a total of 42 lbs today.  This was confirmed by the doctor visit I had this morning.  I am 8 lbs. shy of my intended 90 day goal, but I'm not going to punish myself over it - instead I am bumping up the will power and the "movement"... and I'm gathering the masses to be my support.  I will reach that 50 lbs goal - it just might be a week late.  AND Late is better than NEVER


Recap:  A wonderful meeting, two ladies that attended were stunned at how "small a world" we live in - they used to be neighbors - so I reunited two friendly people in a great little group!  We shared recipes, talked honestly about how much weight we have to lose - and I was stunned by the smallest one in the group - I'd have NEVER guessed her weight!  She's carrying her weight very well... I am the heaviest by 4 lbs. But I'm going to take care of that - "Miss Competitive" here, not "Miss Supportive!"... No, I will definitely want to shine in the weight loss and set a good example!  BUT I never want anyone to feel bad ....so I will always be there to support.  As an overweight woman, I know how to verbally express without hurting feelings or stepping on toes, the sensitive issues of weight, diet, etc.

Carboholics - Diet Log #76

I have started a support group for Carbohydrate Addicts!  So far, the group consists of 4 people ...it's a start.  We will meet every other Thursday for lunch and share recipes, support, encouragement, and diet tips.  I am so looking forward to it- the small group is made up of some really great people ... who knows, it may grow...and we may be able to support each other into healthier and fitter selves.

Work is extremely busy - I come home and just crash.... not very exciting ... but I am looking forward to a 4 day weekend coming up - a nice little mini break.

My Beautiful Habibi - Diet Log #72

Have to share my beautiful smushy face boy.  He's a bit upset with me because I don't stop washing his face and grooming him.  He's just not feeling it - so he thought he could hide behind the lamp...

Today I had chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad combo at a little cafe with a tall glass of mint iced tea.  No carbs!!!  It was a lovely lunch, spent in good company, but the cafe we were at made me feel like I should have been dressed in a flowery summer dress, pearls and a pretty hat... it was like stepping into a book that took place in 1950-1960s Deep South.

Tonight my son is bringing home chicken wings (naked with spice only) - which again - no carbs!!!  

Plans for the weekend are nill - it's raining and doesn't look like it will ever let up... 

A new modified Chile Relleno Casserole Recipe

I am modifying the recipe to my way of eating…low carb….

The real recipe – the original is here at Mandy’s Recipe Box

Chile Relleno Casserole

Ingredients

16 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese

16 oz. shredded Cheddar Cheese

2 (8 oz) cans whole green chiles (You may need more. I halved this recipe and still used 2 cans)

4 eggs, separated

2/3 C. evaporated milk

salt and pepper to taste

How You Do It

Sprinkle both cheeses into a lightly greased 9x13 casserole pan. Arrange chiles over cheese; set aside. Beat egg yolks in a bowl; gradually beat in milk. In another bowl, beat egg whites until fluffy; stir into yolk mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle egg mixture over chiles. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 50 minutes or until eggs are set. Let stand several minutes before serving. Makes 8 servings.

Faux Mother’s Sour Cream Rice

Ingredients

2 to 2 1/2 C. cooked crumbled/grated/riced cauliflower

4 oz. can diced green chiles

8 oz. shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

16 oz. sour cream

How You Do It

Combine all ingredients in a bowl; stir well. Spoon mixture into a buttered 2 qt. casserole dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Serves 6 to 8.

Life is Gouda... Diet Log #71

A few years ago I went to the pretty city of Gouda.  Wheels of Cheese city street lamps, cheese market in the middle of the city center with tables and displays of huge wheels of cheese, it was Heaven.....and it was a little bit on the "Cheezy" side... but a lovely place.  I reminisced while eating a nice slice of some aged Gouda today... Buying a ticket to go to Gouda was a bit of a chore - nobody told me it wasn't pronounced GOODA - it's more on the gutteral sound of GHOWDA... I'll never forget how to pronounce it after that!  When I go back to the Netherlands - I have Edam on my list of places to visit - for I am so ready to be in another Paradise of Cheese....

We've been having some "doozy" storms!  I love it when I don't have to work, because then you can curl up and watch the weather blow in ... cuddle up with the fatty tabby and a nap blanket and just chill out... but, today that's not possible, I am at the office!  We are now entering into the prime time of Hurricane Season... September being the worst.  Hopefully, they will all pass by, if any....

Swollen and puffy, I believe it is because of the salty salad pepper rings and bacon that was on my chef salad yesterday at lunch time.  It was delicious - including the homemade buttermilk ranch dressing I was dipping each bite into... that was also very salty... dinner was a bowl of roasted brussels sprouts, not too inventive.  I even managed to tolerate the vitamins because I took them AFTER dinner - with a full stomach and lots and lots of fluids.  The 1st of September is sneaking up quickly and that is my 90 day marker!  90 days!!!!!  So far, I look at my weight loss as having removed a 4 yrs old child made of body fat from my system!  I really need to lose another 40 lbs before Thanksgiving... I want to be in all my nice clothes I love so much when I drive up to be with my family.... I want to be healthy and happy with myself for this trip... It's a big deal to me - that I travel that distance feeling good about myself!!!!!!

Compliments - Diet Log #70

Today a client at the office said to me that I looked great... 

A co-worker walked up to me and told me it was really showing how much weight I've lost, and how good I looked...

This made my day brighter....

Tomorrow I must remember to share the love and compliment random people... so they can have a bright day...

Niçoise Salad

I have this memory of eating out with my parents at a restaurant across the street or near Bloomingdales in NYC when I was a child, and my mother would always order me a Niçoise Salad... it was NOT the choice of a child... sorry Mom, that's the truth!!!!  And, now looking back, oh how wonderful that salad must have been and how I could certainly munch down on it today - but I don't believe that restaurant is in existence anymore ... my memory fails me on its name, possibly something like Yellow Fingers?


Niçoise Salad
16 oz. grilled tuna steak or canned tuna (2-3 cans)
4 eggs, hard-boiled
2 Boston lettuce leaves
3 small ripe tomatoes
1 small red onion
8 ounces green beans, cooked
1/4-cup niçoise olives
1 tbsp. capers
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

The Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium shallot, minced
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, minced
2 Tbsp. fresh basil leaves, minced
2 tsp. fresh oregano leaves, minced
1 tsp. Dijon or homemade mustard
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Low Carb Eggplant Faux Lasagna - Diet Log #66, 67, 68 and 69

First, my good news, is that my xrays showed that I do not have tumors on my chest where I've torn and inflammed the cartilage - so I now ice the area and take anti-inflammatory pills to help heal the silly but painful injury.  

Second, being healthy and doing good deeds to your body, doesn't always payout for the best...as today I took a multi-vitamin and a Flax Seed Oil pill and ended up just doubled over for a few hours this morning, racked with intense stomach pain.  Not fun - it reminds me of how I said one time when I was visiting Belgium, that the clean country air during the first part of my trip almost killed me, and the minute I arrived in Brussels, and was back in the polluted air of a busy city, I was able to breathe and feel great... 

My dinner last night was a sort of faux Lasagna made with Eggplant slices instead of pasta noodles... I read up on so many different recipes that were similar and just went on a whim to do it "my" way.... which was as follows:

*          Sliced Eggplant into paper thin rounds and covered the bottom of casserole dish

*          Sauteed julienned summer squash, 2 cloves of pressed garlic, chopped onion, julienned 3 petite sweet red, green and orange bell peppers, in olive oil, scooped out of the liquid in pan with slotted spoon and spread over sliced thin eggplant

*          Whipped up a container of ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shaved romano/parmesan/asiago mixture, Tuscan seasoning mix, 2 eggs, and finely chopped cup of Kalamatas and Ripe Green or Spanish Olives (pimento stuffed and sundried tomato stuffed that I had in fridge); then spread that over the veggies in dish evenly

*          Layered another batch of thinly sliced eggplant rounds completely covering the cheese mixture; topped with Rao’s Arribata Spaghetti Sauce (3 net carbs), then spread grated mozzarella and provolone mix

*          Covered with tin foil, baked at 400 for 1 hr 45 minutes – uncovered and cooked additional 10 minutes to slightly brown the cheese on top

*          AND it was incredible……. 

This will be dinner tonight as well.... I can only imagine after soaking in flavor overnight in the refrigerator it will only be even more incredible and tasty when I heat it back up.

I turned down Carrot Cake yesterday during a celebration of my employer's birthday.  I just kept saying 38 lbs. to myself - and sang the birthday song, wished him the best, and went back to work.  I've had moments of self-pity and weakness where I've wanted to get in the car and go somewhere and eat something full of carbohydrates; but, the effort is too much for me in this awful Summer heat to even think about leaving the A/C in order to do something self-destructive - thank goodness for my laziness!

And, lastly, an acquaintance walked up to me today and said "You are looking good"... Now, I won't take it as I don't always look good, but instead as a compliment that my hard work and determination to be healthy again is working and showing....

Broccolli Cheddar Crustless Quiche -Diet Log #65

Tonight's dinner...

Preheat oven at 350 degrees

6 eggs
1/2 c. Half n Half
course salt for taste
ground pepper
1/2  t. nutmeg
1/2 t garlic powder
1 frozen package of broccoli florets - cooked and drained
1 cup of cooked till clear chopped onion
3 c of shredded cheddar cheese

Greased souffle baking dish, add broccoli and onion and cheese
Whisk spices and eggs and Half n Half
Pour custard over and bake for an hour (for me it took an hour) till knife comes out clean...

Filling and delicious and LOW carb!!!!

Weigh In with Doctor... Diet Log #64

I think that I'm falling a part!  And, thank goodness, laughing about it... I had some discomfort/pain above my right "boob" and immediately went into hypochondriac fits of having cancer.. I thought I felt a lump.. today I went to doctor -he said this isn't your breast, this isn't a lump but the cartilage to your ribs and sternum, and asked had I been swinging around from the chandeliers because it seems to him I've ripped and inflamed the cartilage... and so I went off to get xrays and won't have final answer till next week - until then - ice packs and anti-inflammatory pills - and no lifting weights, hanging from the chandeliers or any other kind of crazy monkey business.

It was confirmed that per the doctor's scale I'm down 36 lbs...(after a cup of coffee, fully dressed and wearing shoes) and he was very impressed.  He said "Looking good, and keep up the good work"...

So I sat at my desk today with a giant ice pack shoved in my shirt!  Pretty funny looking... my boss laughed at me - because if it isn't one thing, it's another.  At least I'm there - and thankfully, nothing serious... Thank GOD!!!!!

Tonight's a boring dinner of just some roasted brussels sprouts - I swear I'm going to look green and leafy soon.  But I don't feel like cooking up anything elaborate - just going to lie down and watch mindless television and stay in out of the rain... bad storms blowing through - electricity keeps blinking.

Sniffle Sneeze Sniffle Blow Wheeze - Diet Log #59-63

Ughhhh, hayfever at its best!!!!  I'm plateaued at my weight... My face looks like a puffer fish's... I'm one complaint after another... No bright and cheerful me... so... because I realize this, I am going to try and fill my day with positive and motivational little thoughts and pictures and such....  (because the weather is going to get worse by the weekend, tropical storms/depressions/hurricanes are breeding all around us - bringing us more rain and MOLD).....

One of Those Days.... Diet Log #58

Lunch was Fatoush salad that I could not finish... when I got out of the car with the leftover container of salad, I tipped the container and all the salad dressing/juice spilled out all over my clothes.... I stink of lemon juice and garlic!!!!!  Now I get to go to the grocery store on my way home and walk around smelling like a delicious Lebanese salad bowl... hahaha

This is just the kind of thing I felt would happen today.

I am just having one of those days...

Caudalie - Diet Log #57

After years of off and on acne, breakouts, and never having good skin... I found Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk ... and my skin turned to peaches and cream...smooth, soft and no more awful breakouts... Well, I ran out and have not taken the time to buy a new bottle, and so now I suffer the consequences and damage - from using other soaps - I am breaking out like a teenager!  UGH!!!!

So, after dinner out with friend tonight, I am walking over to Sephora and buying a new bottle... and hopefully in the next few days, my skin will be back to it's healthy and happy balanced glow it had a week ago!

I can't wait - I love Sephora... it's not the same as it used to be, doesn't feel very elite or fancy, but I still love make up and perfume and all kinds of good smelling cleansers, brushes/tools, etc.  I love playing in it all and getting samples of all the new perfumes and products.  Love it - Girly Girl I AM!

Last night's dinner:  I got a bowl from Chipotle - Black Beans, Chicken, Tomato Salsa, Cheese, Sour Cream, and Guacamole.  I didn't have very many carbs all day, so the black beans did NOT push me over ... I'm finding more and more ways to manipulate options to make them doable when I don't want to shop or cook!

Tonight I am eating at Mimi's Cafe.  I am getting Mimi's Chopped Cobb Salad and I am GOING to ENJOY every bite.... I love Mimi's - but I love their bakery items.... I will have to make sure all bakery items are covered with a napkin and moved far far away from me... I've been having bouts of weakness - I don't want to sit and eat an entire basket of bakery items, I just want ONE MUFFIN!!!!  ONE SLICE OF BREAD!!!  ONE BITE OF PASTA!!!!!  AND - well - WILL POWER!!!!!  Not going to give in to the weakness!!!!
NOT GOING TO!!!!!!!!!  I have 15 more lbs. to lose and then I can go have a great shopping trip!!!!!!  THAT's much better than a muffin!!!!!!

I'm off the scale for the next week - I'm happy with the lowest number and I hope to see it move down some more next week...

Full Belly - Diet Log #56

Of all places, Ruby Tuesdays!  Turkey Burger (No Bun) and Smashed Cauliflower for the side - can't beat that for a perfect lunch... and a glass of unsweetened iced tea... I'm full, I'm satisfied, and I ate on plan!!!  The restaurant is in the mall which is 2 minutes from the office... and now I have a new place to go to ... those who are on a caloric counting/healthy diet, they have their Trim and Fit Menu items - some sound really delicious... for me, I'm just absolutely thrilled that they offer mashed cauliflower and grilled spaghetti squash for sides!!!  

It's hot and miserable here - though slightly better than it has been the past week.  Energy levels are on SUPER LOW... Dog days of Summer, and all I want to do is curl up in front of the fan, with the A/C on low temp and read books or watch British TV.  Last night I watched a documentary from BBC called Victoria's Children.  I knew Victoria loved her husband more than anything, and that they had 9 children, but that's all I knew... not how weird they were about parenting, and how obsessive she was over her husband (of course, obvious with the 9 kids!)... but what cracked me up was a comment she had made in a journal that she found the babies repulsive with their little skinny legs and arms and froglike gestures!!! Oh my!!!!  She definitely was not "maternal"....

Running on Empty - Diet Log #55

I need caffeine!  I need sleep!!!  My fat cat, Noomi, decided to play fetch with me ALL night long and early morning... I'd get a chance for some sleep when she knocked herself out and slept too.  She needs all the exercise she can get, but I wish it did not include me and the wee hours of the morning.  I can't lock her out of my room, she'll sit on the other side of the door screaming and start throwing herself at the door in a full temper tantrum.  My snuggly, fuzzy lovebug... 

Power of the Frittata!!!!! And Other Recipes I've Collected....

Zucchini-Basil Frittata

Nancy's caramelized onion, goat cheese and olive frittata

Crespeou Recipe

Mini Greek Frittatas

Nigel Slater's Courgette, Tomato and Ricotta Bake

Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey Necks

1 large yellow onion 
2 large smoked turkey necks and enough water to cover 
4 bunches of collard greens
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt (or to taste)
2 tablespoon olive oil

Cut up onion into 1/2 inch pieces. Cut necks in half and add enough water to just cover the necks. Cook until slightly tender; 1 hour on low boil. While necks are cooking, wash collard greens and drain.

Roll up leaf tightly, slice down the middle long ways. Chop leaf into bite size pieces. Add collard greens to the turkey necks and water. Add 2 tablespoon of oil.
Cook for an additional hour or more depending on how tender you like your greens. The meat on the turkey necks should flake off the bone. Serve over a bed of rice (serve over Faux Rice made of Cauliflower) for a complete meal.

Nigel Slater's Roast Eggplant

1 eggplant
2.5 Tbsp. olive oil
ground cardamom
2 heaping Tbsp. plain yogurt
1 Tbsp. tahini paste
1 tsp. fresh minced thyme
a couple of squeezes of fresh lemon juice
a drizzle of olive oil
2 Tbsp. pine nuts
salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 400. Slice the leafy ends off the eggplant and then slice it in half lengthwise. Cut eat half into two pieces, and then cut each of those pieces into 3 short/fat lengths.  Place in a baking dish and toss with the olive oil, some ground cardamom, salt and pepper. Roast for about 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the dressing by combining the yogurt, tahini, thyme, lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil and some salt and pepper to taste. Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant.

After the eggplant has roasted, plate and drizzle with the dressing and toasted pine nuts.

Mushroom Paprikash  (I would serve over faux rice -cauliflower)

Turkish Eggplant Pie (I'd love to try this crustless)

Weekend Melt - Diet Log #52-53-54

Well, a little obsessive over the scale at the moment - which can be a good thing and it can be a bad thing - but at this moment, it's a good thing!!!!  I'm down to 35 lbs!!!!  It was blazing hot outside, the air was so thick and hazy and dirty, nothing moved, mosquitoes were out in full force, and so - I never left my home!!!

I did laundry, cleaned house, and watched my favorite British TV shows and a few movies... slept... groomed the Persian, cuddled with my fat tabby cat... napped... lived the life of laziness... too hot to want to really eat anything, drank my weight in ice water and iced tea...

This morning - 3 lbs. - gone!!!!  Dancing the happy dance!!!!  Only 15 lbs to reach my FIRST goal of 50 lbs. and then I'm going SHOPPING!!! :)

Meal:

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

Cooked the spaghetti squash, scraped it into a large mixing bowl
Mixed 2 eggs, italian seasoning, garlic powder, ground pepper, and a container of ricotta cheese in
   with the squash strings
Put the squash into a 9 X 13 greased (Pam sprayed) pan
Poured a jar of low sugar spaghetti sauce and spread it evenly over the squash mixture
1 lb of shredded italian blend cheese over the entire pan
Turkey Pepperoni over the cheese

Baked for 1 hour at 375 degrees - till bubbling all over and browning...

OMG - it tastes so sinful, fattening - all that cheese - but it was wonderful - and made enough to make several extra meals for the week.

Tropical Depressions.... Diet Log #51

Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!  Another Pound BIT the DUST!!!! WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!!  (33 lbs)

Yesterday's plans were washed down the drain - a storm system is moving across us, bringing tornadoes, torrential rains, winds, lightening, flooding, and hail... needless to say, I waited till there was a small break in the rains, and drove home, and stayed home... my friends did the same.  We've rescheduled a night out on Tuesday.

So, last night I had not planned on eating at home, so there were no planned meals, etc. - and I had to dig in the fridge to find something - a head of cauliflower - that's all there was... a head of cauliflower! 

Washed, chopped, sprinkled a little olive oil, Crazy Jane's Mixed Up Salt, ground pepper, and microwaved it for 15  minutes.  That was my dinner.... 

I also did NOT give in to the urge of ordering a pizza!  OR Chinese food.... nor did I beg the Kidlet to bring me home something .... I ate the cauliflower, it was tasty, it filled me up, and I LOST weight!!!!!!!!  I was feeling so weak - because I was down about not going out and shopping with friends, the weather was miserable, I was mentally exhausted from work, it was "easy" and "sinful"...but... I ate my cauliflower and I enjoyed it and I lost weight!!!!!!!  

Recipes

Baked Fritata with Artichokes, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta

Ingredients:

18 Eggs

1 tb-sp Olive oil

1 Onion (diced)

3 Garlic Cloves (minced)

1 small jar sun dried Tomatoes (drained and chopped)

15 onz Artichoke Hearts in Water (drained and chopped)

½ cup Italian Parsley (chopped)

Salt and Pepper (as per taste)

1 ½ cup Crumbled Feta Cheese (Basil and Tomato Feta)

 

Instructions:

 

In a large bowl, whisk the 18 eggs together.

In a medium pan, sauté the onion in the olive oil until tender.

Add the garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add the onions and garlic to the eggs.

Stir in the sun dried tomatoes and artichokes.

Add the parsley and salt and pepper.

Stir in the feta cheese.

Pour the egg mixture into a 9 by 13 glass Pyrex dish that has been coated with cooking spray.

If you want, you can add extra cheese to the top of the egg mixture once it is in the pan.

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

Let the egg casserole cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before cutting.

Cut into squares and serve.

Spinach & Ricotta No-Carb Cheese Balls

Ingredients: Makes about 15 large balls

1 pkg. of frozen Spinach,  thawed, squeezed dry & chopped (get rid if the excess water)

300 gr. of Ricotta

150 gr. of Pecorino, grated

1 egg

Salt and Pepper to taste

For the sauce:

4 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive oil

5 leaves of Sage, fresh chopped or whole

Handful of Pecorino, grated

Preheat your oven at 350° (180°) degrees.

In a large bowl mix together spinach, ricotta, pecorino, the egg, salt and pepper.

Grab a baking dish and start making the balls placing down one by one, don’t worry if the are close to each other they won’t stick.

Now in a small sauce pan heat your olive oil and sage together until starts to sizzle and switch off. Drizzle the Olive oil mixture evenly over the balls, sprinkle the pecorino on top and bake for 20 minutes. Serve.

  

Crustless Spinach Cheese Pie

10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and drained
5 eggs, beaten
2 ½ cups cheese, any kind (I used a fiesta blend)
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Grease a 9-inch pie pan. Combine all ingredients and pour into prepared pan. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 30 minutes or until edges start to brown.

Makes 8 servings
Net carbs per serving: 1.5g

Broccoli and Bacon Egg Casserole

12 large eggs
16 ounces sour cream
12 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
½ pound bacon, chopped
1 cup broccoli, chopped
½ teaspoon salt
dash pepper

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Put eggs and sour cream in blender with salt and pepper. Blend well.

Put half the cheese into a 9X13 baking pan, followed by the bacon, the broccoli and then the rest of the cheese. Pour the egg mixture over the whole thing.

Bake 45-55 minutes, until top is golden brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Makes 8 servings
Net carbs per serving: about 5g

Chicken Florentine Casserole

2 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup parmesan cheese
¾ cup sour cream

Poach chicken in boiling water until no longer pink. Remove from water and let cool. Cut chicken into bite size pieces. In small bowl, mix Parmesan, mayonnaise and sour cream together. Combine chicken and spinach in the bottom of a casserole pan. Spread cheese mixture on top. Bake uncovered in 350F oven for 35 minutes or until edges are browned.

Makes 3 servings
Carbs per serving: 4g

Eggplant, Sausage and Cheese Casserole

1 pound sausage, cooked and drained
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 medium eggplant
1 ¼ cups cottage cheese
¼ cup parmesan cheese
1 large egg, beaten
2 cups mozzarella cheese
½ teaspoon oregano

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix tomato sauce into cooked sausage. Set aside.

Slice eggplant lengthwise into thin strips. Fry eggplant slices in a little oil until brown and softened. Line bottom of an 8×8 baking dish with cooked eggplant. Mix egg with cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, and 1/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Spread cheese mixture over eggplant. Layer sausage mixture over the cheese. Spring oregano over sausage layer. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.

Bake in 350 oven for about 30 minutes or until cheese has browned on top.

Makes 9 servings
Carbs per serving: 4.5 g

Fitting Back into Favorite Clothes - Diet Log #48, 49, and 50

I was sooooo ecstatic - today I was able to wear my favorite old  Liz Claiborne denim skirt to work... it's a timeless skirt, goes with anything, and no matter how much weight I lose - it just hangs lower on my hips, and I can still wear it.  Right now - it's the "perfect" fit ... Jumping for Joy - I'm fitting back into my "smaller" big girl clothes!!!!!!!  Another 32 lbs and I might be able to start squeezing into the clothes I've packed away for that special unveiling event of a slimmer me...

Every night this week I have had a vegetable (squash or brussels sprouts) and some chicken... nothing exciting, nothing adventurous, just plain because I've been mentally wiped/exhausted from busy work days.

Yesterday for lunch I went to my favorite Turkish restaurant and had vegetables and chicken... might be growing a few feathers soon!!!!

Tonight I'm looking forward to a girl's night out with friends.  Going to Bahama Breeze ... and then hitting a few shops (Sephora, Lush, etc.).  I just hope it's not pouring cats and dogs and ugly out - being August that's the "norm"!!!  It will put a damper on the fun!