Good recipes

[Darla]

One thing to consider about diet sodas is that there are studies that indicate artificial sweeteners confuse body causing it to release insulin the same as it would had you consumed actual sugar. This can make the body feel like it's been calorie deprived, making you crave additional calorie-heavy foods. I have all but cut diet soda from my diet, in favor of unsweetened ice tea. I find myself feeling less "snacky" as a result. Perhaps it's just mental.

I wish you had posted this before I bought the buy 2 get 3 free 12 packs of Coke Zero deal at Safeway.

What does one do with 60 cans of Coke Zero??

Can you drop Mentos in it and watch it erupt?

[hobbit]

Just a few suggestions that I like.

I started this years ago, along with exercise, and got into good shape.  Then I started traveling with my job again and my habits all went to chit.  I just started the routine again.  Its low carb like Atkins, but also low fat (unlike Atkins) - mostly like The Zone diet. 

My habit changes were in breakfast - I never used to eat it.  You should.  Eating smaller, more frequent meals can better train the body to use fat rather than store it (not knowing how long it will be until the next meal).  By not eating breakfast I was not keeping my metabolism working very well.

First - eliminate soft drinks, all of them.  Drink water, perhaps tea on occasion.

My breakfasts are usually one of two things - both of them quick and cheap.  1)  a cup and a half of low fat cottage cheese with a cup of fruit.  2)  a cup and a half of low fat plain yogurt with a cup of fruit.

Lunch is difficult for me, as I like to get out of the office.  Eating at my desk makes me sad.  I will find something healthy on the menu, order veggies or fruit instead of fries, and/or remove as much excess bread from sandwiches as I can.

Dinner - lots of veggies, a bit of meat, maybe a little fruit or nuts.  I love veggies so this has always been easy for me (except for reducing/eliminating the butter and cheese).  The quick rule I read was no piece of meat larger than the palm of your hand, thinly sliced (relatively).

I will steam the fresh veggies and boil the frozen ones on the stove top - both are good, so don't feel like you have to get fresh veggies.  Season the meat without using high sugar, or fat, marinades.  I usually rotate fish, chicken, and pork - with beef occasionally (I get most of that during lunches though).

Just a few single serving recipes.


Broiled Salmon
6 oz. salmon fillet
rosemary (to taste)
tarragon (to taste)
dill (to taste)
lemon (optional)
1 1/3 teaspoons olive oil

Rub the fillet with herbs then brush with olive oil.  Broil for 10 minutes per inch of thickness, turning and basting once.  Garnish with lemon if desired.




Pork Medallions with Apples
4 oz. pork medallions, or thinly sliced chops
1 sliced apple
rosemary (to taste)
dijon mustard (to taste)
1 tablespoon white wine
1/4 cup water

Put pork into baking dish in a single layer.  Top with apple slices, rosemary, and mustard.  Pour wine and water around the pork.  Bake at 450* for 15 minutes.  Baste the pork with pan juices, reduce heat to 350*, continue cooking for 10-15 minutes until pork is white, not pink, inside.


Pick a good vegetable, or mix, and perhaps a spinach leaf salad (oil and vinegar dressing, nothing fatty) to go with these.

[Seamus]

I found these web sites to be quite helpful, gives me lots of different choices.

http://www.mealsmatter.org/
http://www.lifehack.org/a...d-easy-healthy-foods.html
http://www.makehealthymeals.com/
http://books.google.com/b...11&ct=result#PPA64,M1
http://www.eatingwell.com...lthy_chicken_recipes.html

Give yourself the luxury once in awhile to have a Dr. Pepper if you want one, or a beer (generally speaking our brains don't like "cold turkey" quits), if you go out to a restaurant order a single meal and have them bring it on two plates, restaurants want your business and more times than not they'll be glad to accommodate. Can't overemphasize enough portion control, a restaurants portion control is usually about 3 x what it "should" be. I'm gonna try with you guys, it's hard to get regain that momentum once you lose it. 

[Blader]

If you are married and have "been down to the corner store" more than a few times, a good weight loss inducement is to copulate regularly with the lights on.