Flick, I use the oil mostly to help the salt stick, as I love my salt.

I have done pumpkin seeds with the shells on as well Natalie, and do like those as well, plus you get the extra fiber of the shell.

The collars and cuffs of the Valentino are indeed velvet. The houndstooth jacket itself is finely combed Italian wool. It hasn’t arrived yet, but I have something to tide you over. The YSL quilted blazer is here and after petting it and stroking it and cooing all over it, I tried it on. Perfect fit. Even the sleeve length. I am in love with the thick, rich quilted fabric, the impeccable condition (rare for white not to turn yellow over time) and the gorgeously huge real mother of pearl buttons.

No luck with the silk longjohns, Allie, sorry. I wore it with a pair of navy blue jacquard slimfit pants and a vitage silk shit that believe it or not, used to be my father’s. My mom resurrected it from the depths of their closet last week and now it’s mine. It fits so well it makes me marvel at how skinny my dad used to be! And it has a fabulous little tail thingy that goes from the back of the shirt under your crotch and bottons over the last button. It ensures the shirt never ever rides up and looks smooth and taut as long as you’re wearing it. Genius design. It has leapt to the front of the class as far as my tops are concerned.

So without further ado, here is a fabulous look brought to you by Yves Saint Laurent and Dadsnecca:

https://s13.postimg.org/g85yzwsfr/YSL.jpg

Kazzi, my sweet, another very long professional week behind you! [post edited to remove personal information] Just put your feet up tonight and relax. I received your very sweet link to join skype today,
and shot on over to sign up. Then, the dreaded words “launch an application” appeared, and I was looking at
12 choices that were incomprehensible to me…The old bearded one is out for the day as usual, but I’ll pounce
on him this evening to see if he can figure it out. I get more and more paranoid every day with all of this
techno jargon. I wish you were joining us in our livingroom this evening!
I know that this week’s weigh-in result is only temporary, and everything will be back on track and yielding
positive results by next week. Next year you WILL make your grand entrance at the firm’s big party in a pair
of very memorable cowboy boots 🙂 🙂 🙂 Lots of other mini goals are waiting for you this year, however.
I’m feeling so frustrated that I’m actually thinking of driving the 2 hours to my sister’s house in Massachusetts
so that either she or her husband or 2 sons can give me an intensive tutorial on computer competence!
Keep an eye on your email…

Love,

Allie

Dammit it all to hell. He likes it! However, he is happy for me to eat it as he has no problem with his gut biome.

Kazzee, I must admit it doesn’t always smell too great in the jar, but when you eat it, it is a different taste all together! Mine is a red colour, but you can identify the vegetables so not too red.

Later peoples.

Mary
xxx

Hiya Kazzee,

So good to hear from you. I have gained the predicted 4 pounds this week, despite eating sensibly but above 800 calories. We went out on Wednesday and I chose a Lobster, Prawn and Scallop starter. Then I had Swordfish and salad. The rest of the time I have eaten BSD friendly, but I expected the weight gain. Pity I wasn’t disappointed lol.

Well done on not having the carb version yesterday. Next year you will STUN your colleagues with your wispy figure and knock em dead clothes.

Take care,
lots of love
Mary xxx

Yum yum yum! How do I post a pic on here from my iPad? My lovely Chinese solicitor bought me a jar of kimchi from her local Chinese supermarket the other day, but I’m not sure if it’s the real thing tbh! She loves the stuff but it stinks the office out! It’s all a bit red looking!

Love the sound of the devilled eggs! A great packed lunch idea also!

Hope everyone is tickety boo?

Kaz xxx

Hello my lovelies.

I’ve stayed the same on the scales this week. Disappointing but just makes me even more determined! I went out for lunch yesterday and not a veg on the menu. I opted for the meat platter, starter size with a side salad. It consisted of chicken skewer, sheik kebab, chicken and chorizo sausage, green veg pakora, and mayo and sweet chilli sauce. I ignored the sauce and mayo. My friend had a side of chips but I wasn’t tempted in the least! I felt I had too much meat tho and apart from the chicken, I didn’t enjoy the other stuff. I only had one bite of the pakora, it was too spicy and my insides don’t react well with high spice these days which is a nuisance!

It’s the annual firm bash tonight, 800 people attend and it’s a no expense spared ‘do’ but I’m not going. I don’t want the temptation of food stations from around the world and a free bar! I’ll go next year thou, give my new body an outing for the first time!

How’s everyone else?

Kazzee xx

Big wow to you . I want to lose 35 lbs and your post gives me great hope. I have hypothyroidism and yes as everyone says it gets blamed for everything!!! So I’m going to start this and hope I can get results like yours. Well done

I don’t blame you. You worked hard for that gourmet experience! It is 100% your baby and only you get to bestow its deliciousness on others. Jovis better be grateful you’re so generous.

Hello Miss Ziggy
I’m not doing very well & stayed the same weight last week but have mostly changed back to low carb & following 5:2 eating up to my BMR on non fast days. I tend not to eat breakfast just having a coffee & some kefir with a teaspoon of Inulin. If I do eat breakfast it will be porridge with some dried cranberries or organic full fat yoghurt with a banana & a spoon of honey. On fast days I have coffee but carry a banana with in case of feeling wobbly but I think my body is so used to fasting now. I do sympathise with feeling cold in the morning & anyway rather dislike winter because of the cold & often grey mornings that are so depressing. Could you take a flask of coffee with you for a snack with a few nuts? Or Bovril? For a protein breakfast I ea5 scrambled egg with lean ham or if feeling extravagant smoked salmon.
Tomorrow we have family coming & a house full & I am producing roast rib of beef with all the trimmings but also lots of veg & raspberry sherry trifle for pud & a fresh fruit salad & lots of different cheeses. I fully expect to eat far more than I should but will go without breakfast.
I hope you manage to keep warm so early in the morning because I cannot imagine having to go to work at 5-30am & applaud you👏👏👏👏👍
Margaret xx

Lol Esnecca. Jovis is trying it tonight however, I am not sure I want him to eat too much. It’s mine!

Mary
xxx

SunnyB – if anyone has good quality bras they don’t need anymore it will be the fabulous ladies here, reducing daily as they are. What a great idea!

I meant to say, I will be in touch with you soon about orchids, I bought a couple as a treat and only one is thriving. So positively good to find an expert xx

I fully support any and all surreptitious introductions of foods people are dubious about in foods they love. 😀

I looked for the fresh Gochugaru peppers, Mary, when I first attempted kimchi, but couldn’t find any in the area. I went with the paste in the end too. Just looking at your ingredient list I can almost taste the dreamy taste sensation you’ve created.

Is the family reluctant because of the strong aroma wafting off the jar? Ferments are different eaten than smelled, surely they know that. Don’t be babies, J and the rest of you lot! Try it. You may like it. It may become one of your favorites things in life.

Well done ScubaDo!

Thank you Mary. I use a Thai chili paste called sambal olek in a dish called Nam Prik Shrimp. Very BSD friendly,
and after marinating the shrimp with generic white vinegar, serrano peppers, lemon zest, red chili flakes, and
the paste, it can be grilled on soaked wooden skewers or pan seared or roasted in the oven. Very versatile.
If anyone is interested in the recipe, I’ll post it on “Good Eats”

good day, all!

Allie

Yay congrats! I wish I’d have measured myself as I can absolutely tell in that respect. Just need to persevere and hopefully week 3/4 it’ll be back to big losses!

Gochugaru is a Korean Red Pepper powder, I actually used the paste version which is called Gochujang. I bought it from a supermarket.

xxx

I’m down to 74.2kg today, so that’s a total of 2.7kg this week which I’m delighted with. I’m not expecting the same sort of loss next week but it’s a good incentive to keep going. Also seem to have lost an inch around my waist which is particularly encouraging.

That story put a smile on my face, Mary 🙂 What is gochugaru??? Is it a root?

I am all for subterfuge Allie. When they were small, I told my daughters that runner beans would make them run faster. They still bring that up now, but now they say they are going to use it lol.

Mary
xxx

Mary, let’s have a try at introducing this wonderful concoction by way of Essie’s recipe. J.is an aficionado of
deviled eggs in general, but not too high on kimchi. Let’s chop this stuff up and re-introduce it!!! I’m not above
a little subterfuge, are you?

Thank you Esnecca…I used Pak Choi, Scallions, Fish Sauce, Daikon, Gochugaru, Garlic, Ginger. Your recipe looks amazing and I take on board your advice re starting easy. I must confess I couldn’t resist having a spoonful today. It’s a shame I can’t get my family to try it.

Thanks again,
Mary
xxx

I’m also almost finished week 2 (round 2 – over a year since round 1), and I’ve lost only 1lb after 7lb in 1st week – but I’m weighing food, on plan (and I’m at about 1000 cals each day) – and I know it will drop again soon. Best thing – I can fasten my belt again – 3″ off waist!!

I find everyone’s input here very helpful and am grateful to those that take the time to offer opinions and advice. Unfortunately I suffer from a rare autoimmune disease where the general consensus even among medical professionals is that those suffering probably know more than the medics and can offer much more suppport.

When I was told about the pre-diabetes the GP mentioned cutting carbs but no advice on how to go about it, subsequent to that the nurse told me under no circumstances should I cut out carbs – it can be very confusing and upsetting, so any advice to consider is a bonus even if it is so I can have a more informed discussion with my doctors.

I keep a close eye on how I am feeling, and I am already so much better in myself and with my energy levels, and that can only be a good thing.

Allie, what a lovely post – thank you. We do seem to have so much in common, what a pity there is a whole ocean between us.😭 I have never actually thought of myself as small (though o/h constantly tells me I am, he actually uses the word “tiny”) as I have always been the tallest female in the family (before my son married at any rate). We are a family of short women and tall men!! I guess that’s better than it being the other way around! At 5’7″ you are only 2″ taller than I was until an inch mysteriously disappeared recently!! I have actually always been 3″ taller than my sister, so as you are 3″ taller than I am now, you feel like my big sister😘

Victoria, what a lovely skill to have, being able to make your own clothes, and if you learned because of your height, well there’s yet another advantage of being tall. I have always enjoyed sewing, but not for myself, only for my kids when they were young, and now my granddaughters. But I have to agree, I think we all thought that we would have masses of time on our hands once we retired but I, like you, never seem able to find enough hours in the day! (Mind you, I guess I could spend less time on here, if something REALLY important needed doing😝 But what is more important than one’s friends?😍)

Sunny, you are certainly right – now we have all lost our “bulk” I am sure we all look taller, even if that is only an illusion. Funnily enough, on the Phoenix thread, someone (I think my big sister, Allie) actually did say that in one of my vintage outfits, I looked “long, lean and gorgeous” which is almost as good as being “tall and willowy” and, smoke and mirrors or not, it definitely made my day😊 (of course, she couldn’t see my face😜)

Essie, what a shame those killer shoes had to go back. I do think heels are such a wonderful rediscovery, as I’ve barely worn them for years. Now that I am slim again, my confidence has been restored and I just LOVE wearing them – I think they make you stand up taller and walk more elegantly. Have to admit though, that wellies and hiking boots are still more my comfort zone though. Has that wonderful vintage jacket arrived yet? Can’t wait to see you wearing it.

Sweet! Let me know how it comes out. I love kimchi and eggs too. I have been known to make lunches out of spinach or arugula dressed with kimchi juice, 4 ml of kalamata olive oil, and a tsp of miso, topped with a hefty dollop of kimchi and chopped up hard-boiled eggs. If I want to make it even lusher, I use three eggs and add half a yolk to the dressing. How can something so simple be such a joy to the tastebuds?

Essie, this qualifies as a positive for me…..I never have to hem pants 🙂 🙂 🙂

This sounds perfect, E! I’m going to whip this up. I always eat hard boiled eggs with kimchi for lunch, so this is
inspired. Thanks!!!

Sarah, I find this discussion on your thread very unfortunate. There are no medical doctors here qualified to give
you medical advice regarding your suitability for this WOE, much less those that have been at it a mere 2 weeks.
With all news things, there is a learning curve that we must all go through. My sincerest advice to you would be
seek out those here that are truly knowledgeable about this WOL. Sunshine-girl, Verano, or Marie123, to name
just a few. There are alot of us “old timers” here who are more than delighted to share our experiences,
anecdotal as they may be. In doing so, we support each other in a positive and loving way.
Come here often, we are always out and about, and look forward to supporting you in every way.
Best to you,

Allie

How lovely to see our thread so active again, and to hear how everyone is doing. You all have such resolve I just know that those who have not yet reached targets will be doing so very soon – this has become a WOL for us now, when on earth did any of us actually stick to a diet for a whole year before?

Abbado, great to hear you sounding so enthusiastic about your continuing weight loss journey, you have done so well, so I know you will shed those last few kg in the next few months. Please keep us posted.

Seasidenana, firstly, Happy 1st BSD Anniversary to you for tomorrow. What an exciting time for you – I bet when you started out last year it never entered your head what a life-changer BSD would prove to be for you! Those last few pounds will definitely disappear before your wedding day, all brides tend to lose weight before their wedding. How very special to have had your dress made by an old friend, I know you will look just stunning, both on the Big Day, and afterwards in St Lucia.

I agree, I’m not sure any of us would have stayed the course without the unswerving friendship and support we have found on this thread. So thank you to everyone, let’s keep it going with regular updates and support – trust me, maintenance is not easy, (though it is very doable) and I think that even those of us who have reached out goals, still need and value the support and encouragement of our BSD family.

Hi there …

How is everyone getting on? I am doing ok ….my work uniform is still too tight but I will get there. I am this for the long haul this time. At least this time Christmas is a long way off as opposed to last time when I started 1st October 2016. I used to like eating yogurt and fruit for breakfast last time but I find it too cold for my digestive system. I have to wake at 5:30 for work too so eating a cold breakfast is hard. So work days I eat porridge, Non work days I try to have a protein based breakfast. I would love I know how you handle the “munchies”😂 any good ideas for snacks would be most welcome.
Hope to hear all you news….

MIss ZIggy

Victoria, how cool that you’re so tall. Kids are terrible and will push all the buttons they can find, but I bet all those petite girls secretly stared in awe at your towering height. I got a pair of ridiculously hot red patent leather platform pumps a while back that were 4.5 inches high. I had to return them because the toes were pinchy while the heel slipped off, but when I first put them on and stood up, I saw the world from Allie’s viewpoint for a moment and I LOVED IT. I hugged my OH and we were the same height! What a rush. I teetered into the kitchen just to experience the sheer joy of reaching the second sheft without having to stand on my tippy toes. 😀

No matter what height you are, finding clothes that fit can be a challenge. My hip to waist ratio works for vintage fashion much better than it used to when I was at this weight as a young woman, but the sleeves are almost always long, and sometimes the placement of the waist is way off. For new clothes I buy petites religiously to combat both those issues, and even then I can’t tell you how many pants I’ve had to hem.

The main aim of the diet is for T2 diabetics to kick start their pancreas to produce insulin again and reduce their blood sugar to such an extent that they can prevent, come off or reduce medication. It was never meant as a weight loss plan for the sole reason of losing weight but to reduce blood sugar. This morning my blood sugar was 3.6 and I dont say I have low blood sugar, I say yippee the diet is working and reduce my medication so I get back around 4.5. This is a continual process as once I reduce my insulin the results will go up but continuing on the plan will bring it down again so I can further reduce my insulin. It is also for pre-diabetics to prevent them from slipping into full diabetes. So this diet is for Sarah until her blood sugar is well regulated and the pre-diabetes diagnosis is given is reversed by her doctor. Dangerously low blood sugar in non-diabetics is rare and is covered by certain medical conditions not addressed here.

The carb count for your home ferment may be even lower, depending on which veggies you used. What else is in there besides the cabbage? One of my favorite brands uses napa cabbage, sea vegetables (another thing I’m crazy about), chili peppers, green onions, sesame seeds, garlic and ginger. It has the same carb count as the addictively delicious Gold Mine Allie mentioned, 2 grams per 1/4 cup, but has a higher calorie count of 20. I always eat at least 1/4 cup at a time, plus more of the juice which I can and have quaffed on its own like I was doing shots in college.

As Allie wisely points out, your IBS requires some caution. I would suggest first having it as part of a larger meal that you know doesn’t irritate your insides, a simple thing, like having it on the side of a grilled chicken breast, say, or turkey sausage. Something you’ve made plenty of times would be ideal. That way you can be certain that if you have any IBS reaction, you need to use the kimchi more sparingly.

To inaugurate your great success, here’s one of my favorite recipes that uses kimchi in small amounts, is totally BSD friendly and it is beyond scrumptious. This is guest quality, and that’s saying something because I make a ton of sloppy things for myself that I wouldn’t serve to guests.

Doubly Devilish Eggs

6T kimchi, drained and chopped finely
12 eggs, hard-boiled
4 strips cooked to crispiness bacon (I use turkey to keep the calories lower, but pork bacon is the best for texture and flavor), drained and chopped into little bits
2T mayonnaise
1T Dijon mustard
salt & pepper to taste
1 tsp + a pinch smoked paprika
two or three chives, chopped

Cut the boiled halves in half lengthwise and scoop out the yolks into a bowl. Mash them up thoroughly with a fork. Add 5T of the kimchi, the mayo and mustard, the bacon bits, salt, pepper and paprika. Mix through thoroughly. Taste and adjust for spicing.

Heap the yolk mixture into a spoon and place inside the cavity of the egg whites. Top with the remaining T of kimchi, the chives and a light dusting of more paprika for that classic deviled egg look.

Thanks so much, really appreciate that! 🙂 have a great weekend x

YSYG, it’s not a unique point of view! It’s clearly talked about in the book. This diet is NOT recommended for everyone, and in particular it’s not recommended for type-1 diabetics and those with low blood sugar.

And although rapid weight loss is a feature of the diet, it’s not the goal of it. The goal is the regulation of blood sugar to prevent prediabetes and diabetes.

Thank you Allie. I was thinking something along those lines too. I think the taste is amazing but when you first take the lid off, the smell really hits you between the eyes lol.

Thanks for the cal/carb count too!

Lots of love
Mary
xxx

Good news on your blood sugars sunshine girl. Well done. I’m full of lurgy and a sore throat so q miserable bunny at the mo. Will weigh in as usual on Tuesday but not being too diligent!

Hi, Mary, glad to hear that you latest batch of kimchi is a success. As you say, Essie is the recognized expert
on all things fermented. If this is any help, the brand of I kimchi I enjoy specifies 1/4 cup as a serving. With your
IBS, maybe it would be wise to start off a bit on the cautious side until you see how it affects you? I’m crazy about
the stuff!!! FYI: 1/4c = 10 cal. and 2 carbs.

Best,

Allie

thanks everyone 🙂

When I was first on BSD I was in here everyday posting updates and my food diary, but I just don’t have the time for that now. I also want it to blend into my life and become normal rather than a big deal if that makes sense. I will post regular updates though, probably a few times/week anyway, but I’m only going to log weight and measurements at the end of each month.

I watched Saturday Kitchen and have half a celeriac in the fridge so I am going to roast it in the oven when I cook a chicken tomorrow. Weight is the same today but BG is quite low at 3.8 so will reduce insulin AGAIN tonight. This is going so well. Have a good weekend everyone.

Some lovely positives there JackieM – love the story about the underwear. It’s so good to be able to wear things that we have had to side line, but had held on to as it had a particular value or significance to us.

Your talk of needing to buy new bras, reminded me of the ‘smalls for all’ charity – please see attached http://www.smallsforall.org/
Was thinking if anyone is looking to get rid of any bras still in good condition, they might like to consider passing them on to this charity – just a thought.

On the subject of boring. When I was about 19 I went to my first therapy session and it became clear I had to chose between high drama and being ‘normal’. Believe it or not, it took a while to decide. I came down on the side of ‘normal’ even though i regretfully suspected it would be boring. But I do not regret it one iota. So here’s to boring!

My biggest positive today is weight related, kind of. Back in the day when I worked in the city and had loads of disposable income I bought myself the loveliest lingerie (not sexy, but lovely) just for me. No major events are associTed with the underwear other than I loved it and kept it even though I haven’t been able to wear it for years.

Well yes, you’ve guessed it, I have it on! And it is still lovely, the positive is not the weight but getting to wear something I really value.

Which leads to second positive, I need to go buy some new underwear as I only have 1 bra that fits now. And a bitter sweet one, which is that I have a drawer full of large clothes that I love but it’s time to let them go so I can fill it with things that fit.

Third positive is dog doesn’t jump up anymore – big one that as it’s mortifying when he does – he’s 6 months and the size of a full grown Labrador.

Hi Strawberry13 – as the body adjusts, weight loss will fluctuate and sometimes stall, but don’t worry because these are phases and will pass. Bear in mind though that some of us – me included – lose more slowly than others, but as you say if you keep doing what you’re doing, weight loss will definitely happen.

Have a good w/e.

Hey Izzy, sounds like you have made a solid start and that using your gentle approach is working just fine. It is so important to find a way to make the BSD work for our bodies and our lifestyles and it would seem you found an ideal way for you. Like Allie, I love your ‘small steps are big enough for me’ line and I’m sure there are many who feel the same way – me included.

Keep up the good work and be sure to let us know how you are getting on.

I know what you mean, Nick, sometimes boring can give us the peace and space to just be and recharge. There was a time in my life, I felt my life was boring and bland and wanted it to be more interesting, but there are many types of interesting and the interesting I got was not fun. Now, years later, I’m so grateful for a life that others might consider boring.

Struggling to find positives today, as having eaten too much when we went for a curry last night, I’m feeling cr++py today. Totally self inflicted and not worthy of sympathy of course. Anyway, today I won’t eat unless I feel physically hungry and hopefully a few cups of ginger tea will help to settle my digestive system in the meantime.

Right now though, I’ll see if I can identify some small positives:

1) Enjoyed the company of friends last evening, was good to catch up with them.
2) Watered my orchids this morning and there are eight now in bloom after a fallow period (I have approx. thirty orchids about a third of which are babies at the moment.)
3) Going to do a bit of housework now, as I think moving about a little might make be feel better, so I’m off to vac the carpets.

Bless you Cathy, what lovely words 🙂
The friendship and support on here has been amazing, and it’s lovely to think that although you are at the finish line Cathy you’re still supporting those of us who aren’t quite there yet!

Thank you so much for your prompt reply Esnecca…I know from your posts you are the queen of fermenting! I have tasted it and I am very pleased with it. My next question is…what is the best amount to eat daily and is it better on an empty stomach?

Thank you again for your help.

Love
Mary
xxx

Isn’t it silly that we are so self critical when it comes to height, as that is something we simply can’t change or impact in any real way. Yes, us ‘shorties’ can wear heals and those taller amongst us can wear flats and slouch, but we all know these are just ‘smoke and mirrors’. I would love to be tall and willowy, but was doomed to be short and over the years I have come to accept this fact and embrace it.

What is important though, is we’ve all taken control and made a huge change where we could, by changing our bulk and our health. And you know, now that I have lost a goodly portion of body mass, I think I look much less dumpy and so there is perhaps the illusion that I look a little taller for that too.

Allie – glad things have settled with your weight now and thanks for the invitation to pop in on the Phoenix thread – I might well do just that.

Have a good w/e everyone.

SueBlue

Lose 18 in 2018 is so doable and I know you will do it! There is no way you’re giving up with the support of this thread behind you. There are still a few on here who are going to achieve their goal this year and I am going to support every single one of you. To me, you’re all friends and we are on this journey together. I am at the finish line but I am waiting for you and will help you over the finish line and then we can all stand on the podium together and get our gold medals!