How this Fast Diet Lifestyle works: Eat these meals tomorrow. On Thursday, eat the meals that will be posted on Wednesday.  Eat sensibly the other days of the week.  That’s it.  Simple way to lose weight and be healthier.

The first day of May marks a ‘cross-quarter day‘, meaning a day halfway between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice.  It is also the time of a Roman festival of Spring in honor of Flora, goddess of Spring. Flowers would be used to decorate everything and all of nature would join to celebrate the warmer weather.  Sounds good to me!  Wear green on May 1st, and eat foods made of vegetables from the abundant Earth.

Breton Bake:  291 calories      6.7 g fat     4.3 g fiber     13.7 g protein     43 g carbs   271.5 mg calcium   PB GF    Delicious. Filling. Different.  Artichokes are a flower, so appropriate for honoring the goddess of flowers. 1 two-oz egg                                                                                                                                                                2 Tbsp crushed tomatoes                                                                                                                                    2 Tbsp artichoke hearts, canned or frozen                                                                                                      ½ tsp or more  curry powder                                                                                                                              1 Tbsp fatfree ricotta                                                                                                                                              2 oz applesauce, unsweetened                                                                                                                    black-ish coffee or black tea, lemon in hot water                                                                                        5-6 oz fruit smoothie or natural cider

Chop the thawed artichoke hearts. Stir together the artichokes, tomatoes, curry, and ricotta. Whisk in the egg and pour into a ramekin which has been spritzed with non-stick spray. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, brew your hot beverage; shake that smoothie; and portion the applesauce. Enjoy your breakfast in the spirit of Flora.

Felafel with Vegetable Salad:   205 calories    5.3 g fat      7.7 g fiber    9 g protein    26.5 g carbs 139 mg Calcium    PB GF    The felafel recipe is from Molly Katzen’s Moosewood Cookbook. Perfect for a warm spring day.  Even the food on the plate has a big smile.

6 falefel patties  [see recipe from March 1, 2017]  photo shows 5 patties, but you can use 6                                                                                                                                                      ½ cup diced fresh tomatoes                                                                                                                                  1/2 cup diced orange or yellow bell peppers                                                                                                       2 Tbsp red onion, chopped                                                                                                                                     1 Tbsp lemon juice

If frozen, warm the felafel. Combine the vegetables with the lemon juice.  Plate the felafel and the salad.   It’s that easy?!? Yes, it is.