What comes after a daring Leap [Leap Day, that is]?  A chance to go wild! No, I don’t mean leaving your diet behind.  Living the Fasting Lifestyle has been the healthiest thing I’ve ever done for myself.  It is not just about the foods I eat, I am exercising more, too.  Husband and I try to walk every day for 2-3 miles, which really helps over-all health. Get outside, walk in the wild. Have some crazy-good food, too.  Recipes below.

PowderMill Scramble:  247 calories   9.3 g fat   17.6 g protein   34.3 g carb     PB GF                  This recipe is straight out of Jerry Willis’ Powder Mill Pond Restaurant where it was a favorite. Alas, brunch is not served at Jerry’s Marzano’s Trattoria but you can enjoy this at home.

1 ½ two-oz eggs HINT: If you are serving one person, crack three 2-oz eggs into a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Whip up those eggs and pour half of their volume, crack 3 2-oz eggs into a jar with a lid and put it in the ‘fridge for next week.                                             ½ oz smoked salmon                                                                                                                                               1 Tbsp chopped chives or scallion greens                                                                                                        1 clementine OR 1 and ½  oz apple                                                                                                                      5-6 oz fruit smoothie or pure apple cider                                                                                              blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water

Whisk the eggs [salt and pepper may not be needed depending on the seasoning of your salmon]. Pour into a pan which has been sprayed briefly with cooking spray. Before the eggs set, add the salmon and scallions. Scramble to taste. Brew your beverage and take the previously-made smoothie from ‘fridge. Plate with fruit of choice.

Chili non Carne:   277 calories   3.5 g. fat   15.6 g. protein    48 g. carbs    PB    GF                          HINT: This is enough for 2 one-cup servings. Save the remaining chili for a lunch or freeze it and watch for future postings to see how we use it for breakfast!    The recipe is my mother’s, except that she used beef. And she served it on a heap of mashed potatoes, but we won’t do that on a Fast Day.

15 oz canned red beans, drained and rinsed                                                                                                16 oz canned tomatoes – in chunks or diced                                                                                                 1 cup chopped onion                                                                                                                                             1 green pepper, chopped                                                                                                                                      2-3 tsp chili pepper, or more if you like it hot                                                                                               ½ – 1 tsp ground cumin                                                                                                                                       per serving: 1 Tbsp cheddar cheese, grated, as a garnish

Saute the onion and green pepper in some of the tomato juices until tender. Add remaining ingredients and cook gently until the stew is thickened. Taste to see if it needs more seasoning. Serve one cup for dinner tonight with the grated cheese on top.

Shake Up Your Routine  “Resolve to do something that’s both healthy and new once a week. Try a new way of preparing vegetables, participate in a Cross-Fit, Zumba or cooking class, go on a guided nature walk, or join a CSA [community-supported agriculture group] early to help with planting. The options are truly limitless, and doing new things is fun. It engages your mind, keeps you active, adds excitement to your life and helps you meet new people and develop supportive friendships. And, oh yeah, helps you lose weight, too!” — Libby Mills, MS, RDN, LDN, Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics   https://www.yahoo.com/health/10-resolutions-diet-experts-want-143451460.html