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.

This time of year, Nature seems to be determined to out-do herself.  She is in high gear, producing all sorts of wild food for us to enjoy.  Apples are ripening in the hedgerows along with wild cherries; mushrooms are coming up following recent rain; grain is golden in the fields; and the fishing fleet is out in force on the Gulf. Between mushrooms in the lawn and fish at the dock, meal planning is a snap.  And all this very natural food goes along with this article which I recommend:  What You Should Be Eating If You Want to Lose Weight      http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/High-Protein-Low-Glycemic-Index-Diets-Weight-Loss-37254421 

And tomorrow, Nature puts on the Show of Shows: a total solar eclipse in North America!  “View” it if you can. Unforgettable.

Mushroom Bake:   280 calories   7 g fat  3.1 g fiber  15.2 g protein  38.5 g carbs  263 mg Calcium  PB GF   Natural goodness has everything to do with this delicious meal. 1 two-oz egg                                                                                                                                                             1 Tbsp ricotta cheese, reduced-fat                                                                                                                                                     1 oz chantrelle or other ‘wild’ mushrooms [foraged or purchased at the supermarket]             1.5 tsp Parmesan cheese, grated                                                                                                                           1.5 oz peaches                                                                                                                                                  nearly black coffee or tea or lemon in hot water                                                                                                        6 oz green or fruit smoothie or natural apple cider

Spritz a ramekin [for 2 people, my husband prefers to use a 4×6” oval casserole] with oil or non-stick spray and set the toaster oven at 350 degrees. Chop the mushrooms and cream the cheeses together with the mushrooms. Whisk the eggs into the mushroom/cheeses and pour into the container. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Once you have prepared the beverages and fruit, you are ready for a bounteous day.

Mackerel Puttenesca: 298 calories  20.3 g fat [lots of Omega 3]   3.0 g fiber  22.8 g protein  7 g carbs  34 mg Calcium  PB GF Such an easy summer meal, especially if your sauce is left-over homemade or from the supermarket shelf.  Delicious and satisfying.

4 oz mackerel [I fillet and broil the fish as soon as I get it home]                                                            ¼ cup puttenesca sauce, homemade or from a jar                                                                                    2 oz green beans

Cook the green beans. Heat the sauce and mackerel together gently until warm. Plate. Done in minutes!