R3P2D19 -.8 (-13.2lbs)

Finally, a loss worth noting...still have "the curse," but at least the scale is moving again.

I will say, I have the hungry horrors today. I'm not cheating, mind you, but I just feel like eating...and eating...and eating. Perhaps a trip to Starbucks for coffee and water is in order. Get me away from food (even the good stuff!).

Yes, that's it.

I'm off.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

R3P2D18 -.2 (-12.4lbs)

"To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day." So said Macbeth...a more apt description of my losses of late does not exist.

Though, I should be happy. An unexpected visit from TOM (this only 9 days after a two-week visit...gawd, I. Hate. Menopause.) and even a .2 loss is something!

So, I believe I've perfected my Chimichurri recipe...it is the ideal topper to jazz up our somewhat lackadaisical dishes...very bright in flavor and color. A little bit, though, goes a long way...I use about a tsp. as a condiment and log 5 cals for this amount.

Chimichurri

Makes 1 cup; 5 cals per tsp.

1/2 small onion, quartered
1 large bunch fresh cilantro
3-4 cloves garlic (good sized)
pinch dry oregano
pinch crushed red pepper flakes
3-4 tbl. vinegar (white, rice, champagne or red wine...NOT balsamic)
1/2 tsp. sea salt
pinch ground black pepper
1 lime, juiced and zested
Splash of water (to loosen if necessary)

Place all ingredients in a mini-chop, and pulse 10-15 times (or finely mince all ingredients and mix in bowl). Should look like the image at right. Store in a glass, air-tight container in refrigerator. Will keep for several weeks (discard when bright green color has turned dark).

I love this on top of hCG friendly chilis, grilled meats, steamed veggies...I'll even marinate in it...the uses are endless!

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

R3P2D17 -0 (-12.2lbs)

Ugh...I am in my first official stall.

I am sticking with it, but gosh, it's tough. You just plain get used to seeing that number move downward, even if only a fraction...so holding steady? Not. So. Good.

My goal today is to consume an obscene, no make that offensive...realllllly offensive...amount of water. Can't hurt, right? Perhaps that will get things moving again. I only have enough drops for about 8-10 more days, so as the saying goes, I need to make hay whilst the sun shines.

Must work.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

R3P2D15 -1.2 (-12.2lbs/8.75" total)

Considering the temptations I faced...yet I stilled stayed perfect on protocol...I'm a little disappointed at the miniscule loss these past three days. Ah well, tomorrow is another day.

The photo at right is just a small portion of the food surrounding me on Saturday night. But I was good. Not even a finger taste...just green tea. Impressive, no?

And to add insult to injury...I had to face the many leftovers at the "morning after" recap visit. Cruel, I tell you. Just. Plain. Cruel.

Speaking of Saturday's fete (and gosh, what a fun time), I had a few of the girls ask me about hCG. I guess they are intending to start on April 1. I gave them my blog eddress and figured I'd pop in this "hCG 101" for them (tho, gals, do google and read "Pounds & Inches" (http://www.thehcgdiet.com/pdf/pounds-and-inches-by-dr-a-t-w-simeons.pdf)).

Here's the short story:

Phase 1: 2-3 loading days of eating anything you want (higher fat content, the better). Take drops.

Phase 2: 21-40 days of very specific portions and limited choices of foods (google Pounds & Inches, see link above)...if it's not on the list? You. Can. Not. Have. It! This is called VLCD (very low calorie diet); drink at least half your current weight in ounces of water, only up to 45 mins of light walking and no cheating (not even a finger taste). Sweeten with stevia only (truvia had added sugar). No fats, sauces, alcohol. Take drops.

P3: 21 days of 1500 cals per day (or google BMR calculator and get the exact number of calories your body needs to maintain). Consume no starches or sugar. Add in dairy (full fat...to many hidden sugars in low-fat), olive oil, avocado, nuts, cheese, other proteins (salmon, tuna, pork, turkey, etc.); all fruits (except bananas...too starchy); all veg (except potatoes, winter squash, peas, corn...again, too starchy). Stevia only. No alcohol. No drops.

P4: lifetime...enjoy anything in moderation. Stay away from processed foods (just plain bad). No drops.

I can guess what you are thinking...I could lose weight if I just did this. And you would. You'd also be starving and would lose mostly muscle. The hCG takes care of that. So, though realllllly boring food wise, the results are incredible and -- at most -- it's only 6 weeks...You. Will. Live.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!
That's essentially it.

R3P2D12 -.6 (-11 total)

And the weekend is nearly upon us.

Lots of challenges in store for me. Late dinner out with my honey tonight (which means I'll eat before and enjoy water) and a big party tomorrow, complete with limo, dinner and dancing. Again, I'll eat prior to and just have water and coffee. Good news is, the meals are so late, I couldn't have lasted that long without eating anyway. Besides, the goal is to be social, not to eat.

I will, however, miss toasting a glass of Mama's Punch to the birthday boy, but I'll live (as will he), I'm sure.

As to tomorrow's attire...what should I don, hmmmm? A little dressy-poo? Silk peg-leg pants in a lovely silver and black brocade? Oooh, or maybe my dressy turtleneck-palazzo suit in jersey? Down 11lbs and the choices are endless...yea me!

Looking forward to enjoying some Apple Crumble Soup today...I do believe I need a special hCG treat. And I may head to my favorite Mexican place for lunch (they do me up a nice small portion of grilled chix (naked, of course), served on a bed of shredded lettuce with sliced cukes on the side). Great company and always a good time.

Then back to my desk and the aforementioned treat. Here's the recipe:

Apple Crumble Soup

1 apple, peeled and cored
1/2 cup water
Splash lemon juice
1 tsp. cinnamon/stevia mix (I use this on a lot of stuff)
1 crushed Melba toast

Slice apple into quarters and then into thin slices. Place all ingredients, except toast, into a pan and bring to a boil.

Simmer, stirring regularly, until desired doneness. I like a little firmness in some apples, as well as a little leftover, slightly thickened liquid (that's where the "soup" factor comes in).

Pour into serving bowl and top with crushed toast. This is P2 friendly...in P3 you can top with toast and a little shredded cheddar for even more flavor.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

R3P2D11 -.8 (-10.4 total)

Woo-hoo! I hit the -10lbs mark. I. Love. Double. Digits.

Bad me, though. I failed to eat dinner last night. I was so caught up in work, next thing I knew it was 7:30, I was still a ways out from getting home and I have a steadfast rule: I don't eat after 8:00 p.m.

Amazingly, I did not have a stall...so that is good. Bet tomorrow's loss is even more generous. By the by, I'm back on track with eating today (remember, skipping a meal is really bad in P2...can easily throw you into starvation mode and you actually store what meager calories you take in! Eeeeeekkkk.

Today, I've had an apple, my lunch (a Mock Taco Salad) and 60oz of water already. Plus I went for a lovely walk with my honey and Scamps (about 40 mins.). All good, I'd say.

It is another incredible day here on the Gold Coast...I'm heading down to Starbucks for coffee and work.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

R3P2D10 -.4 (-9.6 total)

Still shy of that magic first 10...oh well. Still focused and feeling great about this round.

I can not get over the difference eating clean and drinking gobs of water makes in relation to my hair, nails, skin...even sleep. Yes, this from the Ambien queen. Not to mention, dressing is a joy again...even with just 9.2lbs gone. Makes. A. Big. Difference.

Also, I noticed my focus is a bit better. Almost a case of "Look like a sloth? Feel like a sloth." "Look like a Goddess? Rule the world." Just sayin'.

Enjoying my Chicken Cacciatore with a 1cup shredded cabbage (sorta like spaghetti) for lunch today. I add it and a little extra water when I'm reheating my serving on the stove top. Key to do it there and not in the microwave...gets too mushy. The dish is quite good...I'll even eat it post-P2. The recipe is below.

Chicken Cacciatore (P2)
• Makes 6-1 cup servings (130 cals)

14oz Chicken breast, raw and trimmed of all visible fat
2 med. sized onions, chopped
Splash Red Wine vinegar
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
3 tsp. Italian Seasoning, separated (Morton & Bassett makes a great hCG friendly blend)
1 28oz can Whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand (Red Pack is a good brand)
1 tbl. tomato paste (again, check label for no added sugar, etc.)
1/2 tsp. granulated garlic
1/2 tsp. granulated onion
Salt & pepper
Optional: pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Bring 2 cups water and 1 tsp Italian Seasoning to a boil. Add chicken breasts and simmer 10-15 minutes until done. Let cool, then shred to bite size pieces.

Bring 3 tbl. water to simmer, add chopped onions, 1 tsp Italian Seasoning, vinegar and pinch of salt. Cook until translucent, about 5 mins. Add garlic. Cook 1 minute.

Pour in hand-crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 tsp Italian Seasoning, garlic and onion powder (optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes). Simmer for approximately 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Add shredded chicken, salt & pepper to taste. Cook 5 minutes more.

Let cool and transfer to 1-cup plastic containers. Freezes well.

-----------------------------------------------------

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!