Oh, and I never answered your question – apologies. I intend to carry on with the diet without going overboard. Occasional bread, rice pasta, etc., instead of staple elements of my diet , and something every day. I used to pick up the paper and include a Yorkie bar, for instance – that’s a thing of the past!
Mike

To be honest, I am still in a state of shock. For 10 years or so I have been seen as borderline – but this is actually non-diabetic as I understand it, What I won’t do is revert to the life style of the 12 months or so prior to realising that I needed to do something. I do have an excuse -don’t we all? – in the summer of 2015 my disabled wife nearly died and at that stage I thought ‘what the hell – live for the day’ and gave up worrying about dieting. Chocolate biscuits, Yorkie bars, more beer and wine than usual became the norm, and I was enjoying life with Veronica restored to reasonable health. Then, months ago came the news of my blood sugar and I realised that things had to change – they did and to be honest I haven’t had too much trouble in turning my diet around, even though there are boring aspects of it. What really encouraged me was,, for example, a nice steak and mushrooms were better for me that a sandwich – I’m sure I don’t have to go on!
Mike

I’ve actually found I have had to cut out a lot of cooking – even the BSD friendly treats, the amazing smell around the house means I really struggle to control my portions whereas something that I have bought and spent less time on seems somehow easier to resist. It’s a shame as there is nothing quite like making a cake or biscuits with children but hopefully in time I’ll be able to reintroduce a little more.

I will have to look out for that. I had a lovely organic cocoa and blanched almond butter jar a couple of years ago but never managed to find another source (not Meridian though). I keep thinking I should have a go at making it myself.

I had water retention last week even in the UK in our little ‘heatwave’. 3 pounds just suddenly arrived, the puffy ankles were back, and the weight and ankles are now mysteriously back to normal again as the temperature has dropped again.

Hi julia
Nice to hear from you.
Sorry you subtract cive then add five.
When on holiday, can you take yourself for a safe walk along, the beach, fields, shops etc.
Tell yourself you will have a naughty treat, at the end of the walk.
The walk the legs off yourself.
Take the time to sit and breathe and enjoy , well, your holiday!
Do something crazy, float on a lilo.
Make a sandcastle.
Find a nice sarong to wear.
Tie your hair in piggy tails
Wear warpaint. Sorry i mean make up.
Find something light hearted and fun, something that you would not do normally.

It was my birthday yesterday, i gave myself the gift of coming back here.
23 plus VAT if you are asking my age.

Dont forget the pound shops with bat and balls
Hoola hoops
And board games like draughts or dominos, you are worth a pound!

I will have a read of your blog to catch up.

Love lucia
Xxxx

Congratulations Mike, that is fantastic news that the HbA1c is so reduced. I am not sure, but think a 40 is totally normal isn’t it? What is the plan now? Will you continue but up the calories a bit?

I got it in Tesco but looks like it is online as well. Really tasty and kept an eye on my sugars at 30 minute intervals and the high fibre seemed to make sure it kept them pretty steady.

Hi everyone and welcome to our new posters … good luck to you all, this is a great way to eat.

We have a ‘calima’ here, hot dusty weather that blows over from the Sahara. Today is cool just 35c but we’ve had a few 40+ days which have been really uncomfortable. Back to UK soon and I guess I’ll be complaining about the weather but for other reasons!

I’m sure you do have water retention in hot climates. S-g this could definitely be part of your up/down pattern. Could you maybe just weigh once or twice a week? I know how difficult it is for a daily weigher to do that but it may stop you feeling down if the scales move up.

I know it’s your BSD birthday very soon s-g so maybe you should just concentrate on how far you’ve come against all the odds with being on insulin. Looking forward to your annual report. But in the meantime give yourself a huge pat on the back and remember this isn’t a race, for some it may be a sprint, but for many of us it’s a marathon! BSD is the best way of living and you are doing that so well. You fit your life into this way eating whilst maintaining the gains you have made in your BS.

We know that we can’t treat this as a ‘diet’ and revert to our old ways when we reach our goal. If we do our diabetes rears its ugly head again but we’ve both proved you can manage your diabetes and ‘live’ life, albeit without bread, pasta, rice and potatoes, to the full. Life isn’t ‘all or nothing’ it’s just a series of compromises and although we may not be at the top of the weight loss ladder we’ve proved we can control our diabetes …. and that is the name of the game!

Sorry just another sermon to self to keep things in perspective especially in view of the number of returners who lost last year and have regained all they lost. At least they are coming back to try again.

Hi Angie TW,

Thanks for the encouragement. I tried on those jeans again…..getting closer. I am swanning around in a pair of black linen trousers too – in fact – I’ve had to take them in. Gone from not wearing them for years to finding them too large!

Feels great to fit into some old favourites doesn’t it?

I thought I would have nothing to wear in the coming spring due to weight loss but my recent plateau means that I will still have plenty to wear. Good and bad. I find elastic waists and some stretch fabrics a godsend regarding fitting a reducing size. I don’t want to spend heaps on a wardrobe that may be worn for a couple of months at best.

Anyway, I am off to eat some almonds.

All the best

Hey S-G don’t be too hard on yourself, it sounds like you are having the sort of week this week that I had last week. Sometimes life just knocks you about, doesn’t even need to be a concrete reason. Take time out to just be, and to pat yourself on the back for what you are doing well: swimming is going fine, so you are not failing on the exercise front. And just the other day you reduced the insulin successfully. I know how you feel , though, and sympathise – sometimes we just cannot get our heads into gear. I don’t have the way with words that others do, but know that you are not alone and we all extend an encouraging hand to you. Your zillions of steps of progress have inspired me – just keep on going, you ARE getting there, even if not as fast as you would like.

Several times of late I have had a gentle moan at how slowly – according to my twice weekly spot checks – my BS is reducing, so I wasn’t really looking forward to hearing the results of the latest test today. I was anticipating a debate on the lines of ‘yes, I know I haven’t reduced much, but at least I am going in the right direction, so give me more time’ sort of thing.
Last time – 6 months ago – my HbA1c was 75, so I was hoping for perhaps under 60. As a preemptive strike, I showed the nurse a print out of my results since starting to record FBG, and also pre- and post-prandial readings in late February, and she looked at them and said, ‘well that looks encouraging, let’s look at your blood results.’ She brought up the results on the screen and looked surprised – really surprised, ‘What do you say to 40?’ she asked – I nearly fell out of my chair. She told me that she had never before seen such a dramatic reduction in anybody’s HbA1c reading based just on diet and exercise in just 6 months.
I’m walking on air!
To be honest, I can’t understand why my twice weekly spot checks show a less encouraging picture – but who am I to argue with the official result?
Mike

Hi Vnunny11 and welcome. Julia, I just hope I have a similar result but I am not holding my breath.

How many times do I bang on to beginners to be organised in planning, organised in shopping, organised equals success on this diet. So tonight I am having the chicken and mushroom ‘pie’ for dinner. Went shopping this morning and forget the cauliflower, cabbage and leeks and have run out of crème fraiche. So I have chicken and mushroom and yoghurt so might have to cobble together a chicken goulash. I really dont know where my head is just now but i’m really not into it. Even my menu, although done, is scribbled on the back on last weeks menu instead of being neatly typed up. Oh well, tomorrow is another day. Talk about seriously doing the fast 800, more like seriously failing.

Hope I wake up tomorrow in a better frame of mind.

Hi vnunny11 and welcome. It was after each of 2 pregnancies that my weight piled on – my metabolism totally changed each time – sluggish to say the least . So sorry ot hear you had miscarriages as well – that is extremely tough. I have lost over 15 kilos on the BSD, but there are others who have lost loads more. I’m 5’8” and currently 83.5 kilos.

So pleased to report that the 85 I couldn’t quite believe yesterday is this morning down to 83.5. I couldn’t believe that a few days of rubbish had done that much damage. Today was quite encouraged, managed a 5k run before work and took in a tub of fage yoghurt and some dried apricots for breakfasts at work this week, and also spinach/parmesan (crustless) quiches/muffins or whatever you want to call them for the next couple of days. They are my go to work lunch with a pile of cherry tomatoes, as I make them in silicon muffin moulds at the weekend and they even freeze if need be. Dinner is smoked gammon and piles of salad at my mums as there is a family get together. But fortunately I don’t have problems eating there as my mum is sensible and doesn’t put stupid stuff on the table anyway, much less press it on me.
I go on holiday on Saturday, cannot wait, and being super good this week. Next week I will make sensible choices – it is far harder for me to make these at home in stressful situations than on holiday where I am relaxed. Emotional eating is my downfall really. Having looked at posts on holiday experiences, the norm seems to be that if sticking to the principles, the exact cals can be loosened without too much damage. I plan to do a walk every morning before breakfast, which will be a run if I can cope with the heat and get up early enough! Otherwise I am prepared for water retention post-flight.
How is everyone getting on? Getting a bit quiet on here! Best wishes to all.

Nice to see you again, Lucia. Missed you lots. Brought a real lift to my Monday morning to see a post from you in my inbox. I am still here… I lose 5kg, I gain 5, but you know what? I am healthier and smaller than when I started out on this journey, even after a hellishly difficult year. So I am happy. I am off on holiday soon, for a fortnight. First proper break in 3 years, as we are holidaying rather than visiting family, which I always find comes with its own challenges. So I won’t have frequent internet, but no intention of undoing my good work with rubbish food as my body needs looking after too much.
Best wishes for a good week ahead, and lovely to welcome you back.

I was/am trying to lose weight, but that wasn’t why I started eating loads of protein.

I actually started eating loads of protein for my mental health! It was only when talking to someone else about it that they mentioned the Atkins diet, and I remembered that protein is good if you are trying to lose weight. Somewhere along the line, possibly while looking into just what was Atkins’ diet really about, I read about protein good for stabilising blood sugar, but again, that’s not what brought me here.

What brought me here was trying to find out how come, despite eating a massively reduced calorie total, I’m still not losing weight!
(I’m still eating around 1000 calories a day. )

TofiEm – that sounds really tasty. I use a teaspoon of Meridian peanut butter as a snack but cocoa and hazelnut butter sounds even more divine. Where did you buy it from?

Hi Polly – another great weight loss you’ve had – absolutely fabulous, well done!!

I lost 2lb this week, making 11.5lbs in total over 2 weeks. I was kinda surprised it wasn’t a bit more, but I’m in no way disappointed as I have had a really good week, so I know at least my insides have been treated kindly!!

I know what you mean about needing to mix it up a bit regards what you’re eating. I’ve ordered some low carb cookbooks toady, one of which is 15 minute recipes – my kind of meals, so I shall pass some recipes on as I try them if they’re good ‘uns! Is there any type of food you really don’t like at all??? Shall see what the new books bring anyway!! xxx 🙂 Glad you’ve picked it up after your petrol station episode – great going!! xx

Maidyju, I hope your husband is on the mend. I’d be interested to hear how you got on with your breakfast suggestions..

I’ve had a rubbish time food-wise since I was off the diet on holiday. Today is the day to climb back on the wagon! I’m still 5kg down from my start weight, but have re-discovered that I just can’t let myself have just one piece of toast, cake, biscuit or whatever: I knew that really, but it all went (and stayed) wrong!

Today I have resisted a fresh slice of my favourite bread (I didn’t buy it!), which would probably have become two or even three pieces. I’m having coffee instead of snacking, not ideal, but not awful and I’ve already made my lunch for tomorrow which should help.

Evenings are typically another downfall. We have no crackers, crisps or biscuits in the house. I have sparkling water, lime and ice cubes poised for the first sign of munchies.

I can do a day, right! Focus on a good choice one at a time…

Well done Pollygarter! Especially with the peanuts…

I must confess something. This weekend I had to make lemon meringue pies, one to give to a friend and the other for home (eldest daughter was home). Anyway, I got through making the pies without so much as licking the spoon, baked them, served up two slices to my skinny healthy H… then I thought I’d test it. Just a tiny slivver, not even 0,25 of a slice. Then another. The next day again. So I ended up with eating a slice, in very tiny amounts. And… I couldn’t resist a fresh fig. Just one. Better than my usual spectacular wagon-falling off (and oh-so-nice).. But a definite diet breaker. I was up to 72g of carbs yesterday, and 925 cals.

So… no weight loss this morning (day 3 of week 2). Overall weight loss so far is 2.6kg (5.7 lbs).

I’ve noticed similar things… clear headedness, energy, calm. Less of a bulging girth. Food (all food!) tastes better. More enregy. And my skin looks younger, fresher. (I’m 56 pretending to be 46).

Yes I’m
Doing it for weight loss which i suppose will make me healthier too
Aiming to lose two stone. I’m a binger so cutting back drastically suits me. I’ve done this before and it works. This time is like to keep it off and I’m not just doing it for a wedding.
Good luck to everyone

Hi WAGILL
Blood sugar readings, just as the weight falling, will not always go in the direction you want, even when you have been sticking to the BSD. There will be fluctuations day to day, but if you stick with it, as time goes on viewing the big picture you will find but weight and blood sugar levels falling and eventually that drop will be consolidated and you will find much lower variations in your readings.
Don’t let this small blip derail you. You are doing well and should not be discouraged by these anomalies, it will settle.

Try doing a search for this type of fluctuation, using the search box in the top right hand corner of the page and you should find lots of posts on this topic and assurance that things will settle.

Good luck on your continued good results.

Love and hugs Marsie.
X B

Hiya Ruthie and co…how did you do?

I lost another 3lb. Wrote a bit more about it on my post but this is good isn’t it?! I feel so bright and well and I am motivated. Need to read the recipe stuff some more though as I will soon get bored with small repertoire which is basically grazing veg nuts and some berries with a small fry of meat/fish and more veg for a meal. I’ve not cooked much. Been so hot. Hope you’re doing ok x

Hey everyone
Thought I would report in as I get a bit closer to the target weight again. After another of those weeks with fluctuating reads showing an increase mid week, I am pleased to report a lose of 2.8lb overall for the week – one of the best weeks I’ve had on the BSD in recent times.
Think part of the success this week, can be put down to extending my overnight fasts almost every day and to increasing my water intake.
Anyway, hope others are seeing good results too and I’m looking forward to reading your posts soon. For me, it’s going to be the same approach this week, in the hope of doing well again and maybe getting back to target weight by next Monday.
Keep going everyone.

Hey there fellow sugar junkies and assorted 800-clubbers!

So…I lost 3lb in Week 2. 7lb loss so far.

This is really good, especially as I had my peanut binge earlier in the week when I got caught out one evening desperate for something to eat when out n about and the garage only sold trash. And peanuts were the best option. But the bag was too big and soon entirely empty. Oops.

So i would say it did pay, the advice I think I picked up here in the forums, which was if you are going to go off track… eat too much of the right foods rather than any of the wrong foods.

I am right back on track. Changes I’m noticing? Clear head. Waist reappearing. Belt in a notch. I thought my mother had put sugar on some strawberries she served up cos they were so sweet and delicious. I have coped with a heavy workload, loads of late night gigs recently on top of a day job (I perform stuff) and rescued a sheep from a river with the help of Son no 2 and a mate (which a visiting dog chased in…goodness.. how awful was that? Sheep ok..me just a bit bruised and strained) and in all of this, on such a low intake I feel fresh and bright and I have not lost my rag. I feel more robust. And I laugh all the time. Why oh why do I forget this…and swap these fab changes for the short term hit of sugar high and all the rubbish and tiredness that goes with it, and being overweight

7lb down and happy! Keep going everyone.

Hi Nilesedge and bigeater I am positive you will be able to fit into those jeans VERY soon. Yesterday I was able to get into a pair of black linen trousers which have been hanging in my wadrobe for years

Hi Nilesedge

My jeans have a saggy bum and yet still have a bit of the muffin happening too. I live in a rural area and to fit in nicely all I would need to do is tuck my shirt into my saggy bottomed muffin topped jeans thus revealing all my splendours as I sashay down the supermarket aisle. Tempting, but I need a familiar audience or perhaps one of my friends will dare me to do it. I would only do the outer aisles mind you – where the food is good.

Wish you all the best in fitting into those jeans. I have a pair I try on now and again, the zip still makes a v shape. Live in hope!

Well for those who miss Nutella I have today found a pretty good alternative! Meridian cocoa and hazelnut butter – works out as 1g carb for a couple of teaspoons and 66 calories and about 5g fat. I had it on an oatcake so you would have to add that but to be honest it is yummy enough to eat on its own and can be enough to stave off a chocolate craving. Highly recommended and seemed too good not to share. The shiny oil slick that is Nutella now looks a lot less appealing!

Well done for staying strong AngieTW!
I weigh in on Thursdays because I always go a bit overboard on the weekend and it gives me time to get rid of the extra fluff! My work pants are almost getting to the point of being too big, which is great. Still can’t wear those jeans I want to fit into, I can do them up but there’s mountains of muffin top going on!!

Good luck all this week!

Currently not employed as a chef so it’s safe but am really enjoying making new recipes. Last nigh I was inspired by Saltyseabird and the pizza problem – i came up with a “pizza base” made of thin sliced and layered courgette and aubergine to put all the toppings on. I shall post it on the recipes section. It was delicious – and 330 kcals if you can believe the counter on MyFitnessPal.
Good luck with the lemon butter – do you not have a guinea pig to taste for you?

Hi Mrs Bear, I look forward to the recipe book. Gathering all the information together would save us all a lot of time copying and pasting. And with all the alternative options plus carb counts, it could be a fantastic resource. I haven’t seen MM’s BSD recipe book, so that might actually already do this. All the best, and how do you manage being a chef and having to taste everything? I’m going to make lemon butter tonight and will have to taste to make sure I have put enough sugar in it as I tend to cut the sugar content in about half.

Thanks for the tip Kate. As for meal planning, I’m only cooking for myself, which makes things much easier as I can batch cook and freeze many meals. I’ve been using MFP to plan my meals for the following week before I go shopping and then sticking my meal plan on the fridge. I am starting to hoard Tupperware though!

Thanks for the support. I think I’m beating myself up over nothing really. I guess id be superhuman to get them to drop so much so soon. Gonna start the couch to 5k exercise today. Hopefully that’ll help.

Hi Michael5
In the book, Michael suggests easting your dinner later if you are having trouble sleeping. Maybe this would help?
Great inspirational posts and changes you are making. I find it tricky to meal plan without being vegan so credit to you!

Hi Wagill, you have done tremendously well regarding your blood sugar. A lot of people take a lot longer to get such wonderful results. Keep up the good work and keep at it. I bet your results are even better soon!

I started the 8 week diet 2 weeks ago.

My starting weight was 13.12.
I’d already lost 1 stone in 8 weeks due to the fact I have colitis. My colitis had been in remission for about 15 years but a recent event in my life caused some underlying stress, and it flared up again. So I’m maintaining this and the doctor does a full mot on me and tells me my tiredness and thirst are due to have T2D.
My blood sugar was a whopping 19.
After the first week on the diet I tested my blood and it came in at 9.5
Wow I thought, I’ve halved it in a week. The following Monday and the start of my 2nd week it was 8.6. By the Thursday it was 7.2. Yet on Saturday it went back up to 7.8 and today it’s 8.3.
I’m a bit disappointed to be fair.
I’ve stuck to the diet and the recipes and cut out booze.

So I’m asking everyone, anyone, is this normal?
Also weight wise I’m fluctuating between 13.10 to 13.8. I’ve not started exercising yet as I still feel tired.

Looking for a bit of support and encouragement please.

http://diply.com/delicious-cloud-bread?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=delicious&config=7
can not believe I have found this – family life saver

So I’ve just finished week two and lost another 7lbs, which is great, but it has been really difficult. On Thursday and Friday I felt particularly tired, to the point where I wouldn’t have felt comfortable driving. I’ve also woken about an hour before my alarm most mornings, still feeling tired and have really had to force myself to get going. On the flip side, except on Saturday, when I went out for a meal that didn’t turn up until 9pm, I’ve not really felt particularly hungry.

I’ve done a bit more planning on my meals to get the carbs down, even though I’m eating a vegan diet. More tofu and nuts, less vegetables has let me get the carbs down to ~65 per day, so hopefully that will improve things. If not, I think I’m going to have to move to a higher calorie diet.

2 weeks down, 6 to go. Starting weight 19st 8lbs, current weight 18st 6.5lbs.

Hi gang.

Thank you to those who have asked after me.
And a big Hi! To those who have read my blog here.
The story so far….
I couldnt walk, i sat on the settee like jabba the hutt. Shovelling junk food into my body, feeling low.

One day, i would say a miracle. I found michael moseley. I watched his horizon documentary about fasting. And the one about fixing dad. Or curing dad. And the one about diabetes.

I got his book. And read it cover to cover.
I found this forum and read the messages for months. Scared to join in in case people criticised me.

First thing was to reduce the amount i ate.
And then to normal cooked food.
Then the right food.
I had to do it in baby steps.

The same with exercise.
I was too ashamed to go to the gym.
The machines would collapse under my weight.
I could hardly walk.
When i move it caused a wave of blubber to start moving.

So i used the stairs at home.
I put a dining room chair at the top and one at the bottom.
I used the hand rails to drag myself up, step by step. My heart raced, my breathing hot, sore,raspy. Sweat? Tons.
Then i sat one the chair and recovered.
Then down. Sat. Recover.
Up, sat, recover.

I also walked, in the living room. Then around the house. Then the garden.
Then between bus stops, sitting on the seats at the bus stops, pretending to wait for a bus, but really waiting fro my pulse to stop pounding in my chest.
Inch by inch.

I then stopped the carbs, as suggested by bill1954.
He lost weight by cutting carbs. He didnt weigh stuff, or count calories.

Then after climbing stairs, walking, and doing weights, i was ready for the gym.
For weights, it was cans of baked beans in carrier bags that i lifted in the kitchen.

Yes, i was sooooo embarrassed to be so huge and going to the gym with the skinny minnies.

I took a big breath and went in. At first i walked on the treadmill.
I did one minute on the cross country, then i came off the machine, and went to the water machine for a drink. I was really trying to recovery, to catch my breath, to come down one or two shades of bright red.
The sweat ran down my back, i looked a mess.
The decision was
A. Look a mess with strangers and slowly get fit and healthy
B. Go slob out on the settee and stuff my face and die.

Soon people were come over to me to suggest i do more sets. Or try a different programme on the machines. They talked to me but didn’t judge me.

I eventually got to love it. I could do an hour and a half exercise.
It did take time.
I watched newbies join, last three visits and never come back.
The gym isn’t for everyone.
You can go to the pound shop and buy a hoola hoop. Or bat and ball and either have fun with the kids. Or play on your own.

It was hard work in the gym, i didn’t do it half heartedly. Each gallon of sweat that came out of me, i visualised my blubber melting off my body.

In the beginning i had a wii machine. I hated that woman with a vengeance, who kept telling me to keep going, or go faster. If only i could of catch my breath i would have sworn at her!

It did take time, i didnt tell anyone. I was sick of people rattling off their knowledge of diets, fitness etc. I used to think, so why are you a size 22?
Where are they when you need a gym buddy?
They love listening to their own voice, but do not offer help or talk their own advice.
You just have to suck it up and get on with it.

Eventually, i could run up the stairs and not die.
I could run for the bus and actually catch it.
I could carry shopping bags and not pop a lung.

Food, i wanted , needed, craved food, chocolate, junk.
It called out to me.
Slowly, one meal at a time, i ate what was good for me.
It was a fight to not give in to the cravings.
Healthy food tasted, well, healthy and not like my comfort food. I gave each healthy food change two weeks.
After two weeks i would sample the old junk and the new stuff.
The new healthy food tasted, well, tasty. The junk food tasted, well bland, stodgy, not nice.
So i could live with each new change.

So, i have been working hard, looking after family, keeping busy. But i feel i need to come back to basics, as one or three things have slipped. ( i am human after all).

So, what have you all been up to?

Love lucia
Xxxx

Hi all,

This is my 3rd day on the BSD and my 4th day sober (binge drinker/eater rather than alcohol dependant)

I am using this plan for weight loss and hope it resets my metabolism and enables me to stop the emotional binges.

Really enjoying reading all your stories. Very encouraging.

FFBB

Another 2lbs off and 3 more weeks to go!! Said no to home made cakes and scones yesterday and had strawberries and cream and a glass of prosecco instead x
Good luck everyone with your weigh ins this week.

I love pomergranate but don’t eat it on this woe as they are very high in sugar (carbs) despite the great health benefits. I don’t think it would be any harm if you had a handful once in a very blue moon but if you are really wanting this to work you really should avoid. I have given up on many of my favorite fruits and to be honest at this stage I don’t really miss them. I stick to strawberries when I want something sweet or on a hot summer night – the fruit of the vine converted (wine of course!)

Thanks for your support ClarinetCathy. Managed to reign things in over the weekend and today so will see what tomorrow’s weigh-in shows. And, big plus, have remained polite to the tradies despite all provocation. In any case problems are more with the employers than the employees.

See you all tomorrow.

Can I substitute Pomegranate for somethinhg else?

Good morning everyone and hope that your weekend was glorious and not too filled with dietary challenges!Well done Lee and Liz on your losses (seems a weird thing to say..esp as you’ve just been to a funeral Liz!)

Recipes!!
We are having a LOT of soups at the moment, but that’s probably less attractive to those experiencing summer!

So, as much as the conversations seem to feature eggplant, here’s one of my go-to’s…..I use it as a relish…on baked mushrooms (you could have it on tomatoes) on smoked tofu (also probably great with fish or chicken….) or alongside scrambled egg

Cube and bake 3-4 eggplant tossed in olive oil (if you use small ones without big seeds, you don’t have to salt and rinse)
When soft, put in saucepan with;
onions (optional)-sweated in a little oil
a teaspoon of harissa paste
app tablespoon anchovies (also optional…and yes, this committed vegetarian does allow the occasional small, dead, salty fish to pass her lips!)
Then add 1 roast capsicum with skin and seeds removed cut into strips

ready to go..hot or cold!! app 100 calories per cup

We are having that tonight with roast beetroot and garlic, grilled halloumi and a small salad

Another standby that I do most weeks is a huge tray of roasted pumpkin and sweet potato with garlic
-peeled and cut into cubes….roast with olive oil and tamari or soy sauce).

Sometimes I blend the whole with soup stock(another thing I make most weeks in the slow cooker to have on hand…just veg scraps/ends with dried mushrooms, pepper and bay leaves) overnight
and then add a tin of whole chickpeas …app 180 calories per bowl
OR cool and toss with fetta, roast capsicum and again sometimes chickpeas.

also sometimes do a HUGE tray of frittata with green veg and fetta (or olives)….those silicon baking dishes mean that you can bake it in the oven and just turn out…stores really well unless the kids come to visit!!

happy eating!
xx
Erin

This is where I found it http://www.wellplated.com/tomato-egglant-zucchini-bake/

Hi Liz,

this is tasty..
1 eggplant/aubergine, 3 medium zuchinis, 1 punnet cherry tomatoes, quarter cup of fresh basil, quarter cup of fresh parsley, half cup shaved parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon olive oil. salt, ground black pepper tablespoon crushed garlic
Dice veg to about 1.5cm half inch pieces, leave tomatoes whole. In a bowl mix everything together, leave aside some of the parmesan to sprinkle on top.
Put in casserole, bake 20 minutes with lid on, 15 minutes with lid off. Just check the eggplant to see if it is tender, cooking time may need adjusting. Cook at 200 celsius.
I have in the past worked out the calories etc, but details elude me, safe to say it is bsd friendly and is quite filling, can be eaten on its own, with meat or fish or with other vegies. Can be frozen or keeps well in the fridge for a few days. And… it is flavoursome.
Best,
Bigeater

Hey Peeps,
So, It will be four weeks since I began this journey and am down 18.4 lbs and I’m feeling fabulous! My blood sugar is also greatly improved and averaging a solid 5 each morning. But I’m still 17 st 1/ 240lbs so have a way to go. I am however, getting a bit bored with my ‘go to’ foods. I love my thick slice of tomato in the morning topped with a thin slice of ham, grated cheese and a poached egg. Lunch I’m still going to salad and a protein but dinner needs to bump up my interest. Any ideas? I’m sick of cauliflower pizza too. Zucchini noodles are okay still as I can change up the sauce.
I came up with a super delicious ‘appetizer’–I took tomatoes that are one size up from cherry, cut them in half, used a melon baller to get the pulp/seeds out, then grilled two whole red bell peppers on the bbq, then let them cool until I could peel them, then used one of those wands that purees stuff and added 2 cloves of garlic and some basil. Then put it in a small plastic sandwich bag, cut the corner off and piped them into the tomato halves, and topped some with a caper and some with a crumble of feta cheese. But I figure you could really play with the flavours! Great one bite treats!!
Today II attended a funeral then the reception afterwards which was a huge trial. Everything on the buffet was my nemesis—-sausage rolls/favourite, mini quiches/favourite, marinated cheese tray/did someone say cheese?, finger sandwiches/OMG favourite, mini Yorkshire puddings with beef and a gravy drizzle/bastards–nearly killed me avoiding those. But there was some reasonable choices…..like an endive spear with two microscopic fucking shrimp and a drizzle of cocktail sauce–I had six.There was a veggie platter which helped fill the void. Come tomorrow however I anticipate shitting an entire vegetable patch. I did treat myself to one half of a devilled egg. Why is it that I would only ever have maybe two eggs at one sitting but set out devilled eggs and I’m on those like a champion power eater. Of course the dessert table was a no-go zone for me as was the OPEN FUCKING BAR!!!! I had a few pangs of ‘just one to toast the departed” but knew I couldn’t be trusted so respectfully toasted her with fizzy water and lime and even walked home as it was just up the road. So virtuous on the food/booze and exercised! Best mind my halo doesn’t slip and choke me.
Anyway friends, if you have any go to foods that keep you on track please share.
Yours, Liz….Sainthood pending.

Wow the weekends are tough to stay on course. After a good Saturday (good calorie and carb control together with 1km swim and 10km run), Sunday went a bit pear shaped whilst eating out with the family. Not a complete derail given I’d been well behaved until that point of the day but certainly too much wine and food would have pushed me beyond the calorie and carb target.

But as everyone has suggested I am not going to beat myself up but instead just jump back on the horse and go again today.

Interested to see what week one weigh in produces on Thursday morning, hopefully it is a good positive reinforcement.